Well, this is the second-to-last chapter. I'm going back to school today too, so...i guess this is goodbye for another month or so #sobs#

THANK YOU so much to katesparrow, teknokat (is that how you spell it? I think i got it wrong...oh well, lol) and elvencherry07. Between you you guys put up 14 reviews! Cyberhugs and virtual cookies for you all!

I also see a couple people who have me on author alert or favourites lists and don't review. If you're not reading that is obviously fine but if you are PLEASE just leave me a little review? Just to say what you think?

Ok here we go;

The very short but sweet one…

"That was fun!" Lily chuckled, linking arms with James and turning up her cheek for the kiss she knew was coming.

James complied, then checked his watch. "Fuck! It's two in the morning!" he exclaimed.

"Better get back," Sirius added intelligently.

Katrina pressed one hand to her forehead and seized his arm dramatically. "No! Don't leave me, my love!" she wailed.

Sirius, joining in, clutched her to him and covered her upturned face with kisses. "Dearest!" he murmured enigmatically, for want of a better line.

James left off sniggering at them to give Lily a proper kiss.

"Night sweetheart."

"Night."

She held him for one last, lingering second, then linked arms with Katrina and walked away along the corridor towards the Gryffindor common room.

"Night babe," Katrina called over her shoulder to Sirius.

"Night, darlin'. See you tomorrow?"

"Sure. But not too bright and early," she cautioned.

"You got it."

As soon as they turned the corner, Katrina and Lily rounded on each other.

"What exactly is going on between you and James?"

"What happened with you and Sirius?"

They both laughed, then Lily said, "You first."

"Um, he really…likes me. He asked me out." Katrina let that secret little smile drift across her face again. "And I honestly think we might have a chance," she revealed gleefully.

Lily smiled, pleased. It had been ages since she had seen Kat this worked up about a guy. Sirius and Kat really were good for one another, she mused. They were both so used to others competing for their affections…

"What about you and James?" asked Katrina.

Lily flushed. "Oh…we danced," she said evasively.

"And?"

"And…kissed."

"And??? I saw you when we did the prank. You guys looked…friendly," she teased. "Has he asked you out again?"

Lily shook her head; Katrina made a sympathetic face.

They walked in silence until they reached the portrait hole, bickered about the password, remembered that it was "Mugwump", entered and flopped into their usual facing armchairs, either side of the fire. For a few minutes a comfortable silence reigned.

"So you're Sirius' girlfriend, then. Thought you said you weren't going to go there," Lily commented drowsily, lulled by the comforting heat of the fire.

"Hmmm…" Katrina agreed. Her eyelids fluttered.

She blinked. Sirius and James had just appeared, as if from nowhere, behind Lily's armchair.

She wondered if she was dreaming. But no; James was shushing her imploringly. Sirius put a finger to his lips, and winked.

An idea popped into Katrina's mind.

"Lilsy?"

"Mm-hmm?"

"You had a good time tonight, then?"

"Brilliant," Lily agreed, without opening her eyes. "He's so sweet, and…and…sweet," she added, sleepily and incomprehensibly. Katrina met James' eye, grinning, and returned Sirius' wink.

"So…if he asked you out again, would you say yes?"

Lily nodded her head, half-asleep. Katrina, realising James couldn't see Lily, nodded at him and beckoned. He came around the edge of the armchair to pick Lily up gently. Her head flopped over his arm. He seated himself in the armchair in her stead and put her down on his knee, leaning her head against his chest. Totally asleep now, she snuggled closer and nestled into his neck.

"Lil," he murmured in her ear. She stirred.

"Mmmmmmm…?"

"Go out with me?"

"Mmmm." She nodded yes into his hair, and then went still again. James put his arms around her, listening to her deep, even breathing.

He looked up at Katrina, who was treating Sirius to yet another goodnight kiss.

"Thanks."

"Welcome. Why didn't you ask her before, scared she'd refuse?"

James' ears went pink as he nodded.