Sorry this one's a bit short, it's just how it worked out. However it has BEEG developments.

Also I am SO SO SO sorry I haven't kept up with my time-honoured one-chapter-a-day tradition. First our computer broke down (my dad saved too many photos from his digital camera!) and then I went on holiday kind of randomly for a couple of days but here for your perusal are not one, not two, not even three but four yes FOUR chapters to make up for it. 'k? Thanks to elvencherry and katesparrow for the reviews, as per usual they made me feel all fluffy inside J . Everyone else, if you're reading then review also. puppy dog eyes

Ok lol here we go.

(Disclaimer; I own nothing but my genius.)

::I'm on my own with James Potter, oh my god, oh my god…::

Lily was panicking. ::What do I say?:: she wondered frantically, wishing Katrina was there.

James looked down at her from the lofty heights of 6'1", amused. "I already promised I wouldn't eat you...what more do you want?" he chuckled. Lily jumped and stared at him like a rabbit caught in the headlights.

"Relax!" James begged. "Please! Merlin, you're making me jumpy."

Lily blushed. "Sorry. I…" She stopped, shaking her head.

"Go on, what?"

"No, it doesn't matter."

"Of course it bloody matters, you were going to talk for the first time in about half an hour!" James exclaimed, smiling to show he was joking. The corner of Lily's mouth twitched. James started convincingly. "Was that -? Merlin, I think it was! Did you just…did you just smile?"

Lily bit her lip to stop the giggles. "No," she deadpanned. James looked closer.

"You sure?" He put his head on one side and squinted thoughtfully at her. "I could have sworn…"

He reached out a hand and pulled the corners of her mouth upwards, looking at her musingly. "That's it…just there." Lily swiped his hand away, laughing.

James smirked. "Gotcha!"

She pulled her face straight, raising a belligerent eyebrow. "Did not."

James ignored the challenge and held out his arm; Lily took it silently. They carried on walking.

When they reached the door to the second floor, James leaned past Lily to get the handle. His breath brushed her ear. She shivered.

"Come to Hogsmeade with me Saturday," he said softly by her cheek.

A tiny frown creased Lily's forehead. "I'll think about it," she replied cautiously.

That was all James could get out of her from then on, however hard he tried; and when they reached the portrait-hole, Lily ran into the common room and up the stairs without a backwards glance.

James, jilted, frowned crossly and went to find Sirius.

Katrina peeked around the door of the astronomy tower to find Sirius already there, staring out of the window, and a big, soft blanket and cushions covering half the floor. "Nice touch," she commented, leaning on her elbows beside him. Sirius jumped and turned towards her.

He caught his breath, staring openly. Katrina dimpled, pleased at the reaction her efforts had provoked.

She had taken special care with her outfit tonight; her short skirt drew attention to long, slim legs and the scoop-necked top that accompanied it was tight fitting, its pinkness standing out against her tan.

It gave Sirius a nice view when she bent over as well, which he was busy taking advantage of when Katrina looked up at him through thick lashes and drew in a long, slow breath. Sirius took his cue, sliding his arms around her waist and down her back before lifting her up and seating her on the windowsill facing him. Katrina wrapped her legs around his waist and let him kiss her, occupying herself with his shirt buttons. ::I'm going to shag Sirius Black:: she thought happily, as the shirt slid off and onto the floor.

Exactly the same sentiments were passing through Sirius' mind at that moment, although they grew somewhat distorted when her fingers brushed the sensitive spot at the base of his neck…

(A/N; I'll leave the rest to your fertile imaginations grin)

"We should do this again," Sirius commented, as they descended the winding stairs from the astronomy tower.

"I'd like that," Katrina replied truthfully. Then, after a pause, "But what would that make us? I don't-"

"I know you don't. Want commitment, I mean. Neither do I," Sirius reassured her. "And paranoia doesn't suit you, Moore," he added, laughing. Katrina made a face at him. "We can just be…friends with benefits," he improvised.

Katrina chuckled. "Fuck-buddies," she clarified. "Hmm…ok."

"I can date other girls, then."

"As long as it's ditto guys for me."

"Good, 'cos I've got a date for this month's ball."

"Ooh, who?" Katrina was interested; few girls had the nerve to go out with Sirius any more, mainly because his reputation preceded him…

"Some Ravenclaw, newbie. Year below."

"The year below! And you chose her over me?" Katrina exclaimed in mock horror, one hand pressed to her forehead.

Sirius feigned concern. "Ah Kat, I'm sorry. You can have the last dance," he offered generously.

Katrina eyed him, unimpressed.

"The last two, then."

Head on one side, she pretended to consider it.

"Three?" he hazarded.

"Alright," she consented charitably. Sirius grabbed her hand and covered it with kisses.

"Thank you, thank you! I'll be your slave forever!"

"Can the sarcasm."

"Sorry."

Katrina nodded her head in queenly forgiveness, then they reached the common room and went their separate ways.

Sirius shoved the dorm door open so it crashed against the wall and swaggered in, radiating arrogance.

"Someone got laid," Remus observed archly from under a mound of bedclothes.

This was such a common remark that Sirius didn't bother to acknowledge it.

"How'd it go with the redhead?" he inquired of James, stripping down to boxers and climbing into bed. (A/N; has fainted)

"Badly," James admitted. "She turned me down for Hogsmeade on Saturday…well, she said she'd think about it but you know what that means…"

"Told you you'd have to work at it."

James grunted sleepily. "Yeah, well…I'll hang around with her for a few days, ask her again. I didn't want to push it, what with her being so shy."

"Hm."

Sirius was already half-asleep.

"Were you with Katrina?" asked Remus, emerging suddenly from his puzzled silence. He was greeted with a loud snore; Sirius was either pointedly refusing to answer, or he had fallen asleep in ten seconds flat…

With this cheery thought, Remus joined the other Marauders in dreamland.