Disclaimer: I own nothing here... NOTHING! Do you people get that?! GEESH =)

Chapter 3- Kyla Strikes Back

For the next week and a half Lily and Kyla were like two peas in a pod. Kyla would teach Lily some practical spells, Lily would regale Kyla with stories of the life and times of the Marauders, and they would discuss any number of topics. Their favorite subject was different articles in the latest Witch Weekly magazine. Monday afternoon James decided to address this serious violation of the unwritten code between parents and their children. "So you see, Mum, although your intentions may be good, you befriending my future girlfriend is just unnatural."

"Hmm, I see," Kyla said after patiently listening to the babbling of her son, "and what do you suggest we do about that, how did you put it, 'infringement upon your God given rights as my son'?"

"Well, since I've known her longer, I think you should cut the buddy-buddy thing," James suggested boldly.

"Well, James love, since Lily actually enjoys my company, I think perhaps you should cut the illusion that Lily might actually want to go out with you." James's smile faded as his jaw dropped and any confidence he had settled in the pit of his stomach, where it usually went while James was being reamed by his mother. "Since you are my son, however, I am willing to share her with you, even though it goes against the Statute of Parents Sharing their Peers. I might even help you out with this dream that you have single handedly been annihilating over the years.

"For your information Lily is the only descent female company I have had for the last five months; and what, pray tell, would you be doing that includes Lily into all your plans?"

"I, uh- I don't know. Sirius and I could take her flying with us at the community pitch in the mornings," James suggested lamely.

"She doesn't like flying, James, would you just have her watch?"

James shrugged, knowing how impossible it would be to gain ground with anything but silence.

"And you should know, James Michael Potter, in this house, your God given rights are limited to the clothes on your back, the food in your stomach, and the roof over your head. Keep that in mind the next time you ask for the latest racing broom." Kyla stood up and left the room. When she was gone Sirius came in.

"That didn't sound too good," he said lounging in the chair across from James.

"She doesn't get it!" James said standing and pacing the length of the room. "I mean, what good is it to me if they get along? Mum will tell embarrassing stories and they'll share pictures, and it can't be good!"

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't try explaining it again, mate. Who knows? Maybe it will help."

"Right, sure, thanks for nothing Padfoot!"

"Any time, Prongs," Sirius said as James left the room.

James went upstairs and started pacing in his room instead, still mumbling under his breath about his dating life being ruined. "Share her? As if she belongs to anyone," James muttered as he leaned against the window sill and looked out toward the swimming hole that was a little ways beyond the Potters' back yard. James saw a flash of red... a flash of hope. "I'll show her," James said changing into swim trunks and grabbing a towel and his wand.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Sirius asked as James walked defiantly toward the back door.

"Out!" James shouted and slammed the door behind him, causing Kyla to look into that room.

"Is he mad?" she asked.

"Yep," Sirius answered.

"Lily down by the pond?"

"Yep."

"Think he's trying to prove me wrong?"

"Yep."

"Wow, that worked faster than I thought."

"Yep."

Lily had taken to swimming in the afternoons while she was staying with the Potters. It was peaceful and warm here; back home, there was only a muggle pool which was always crowded and full of chlorine. This was a much better way to enjoy the water, in her opinion. She surfaced and saw a dark haired figure making its way to the opposite bank. Lily suddenly wanted to take her time swimming back to that side.

James waited patiently, for once, disappointed that Lily had chosen to wear a modest one piece, although he did think the green color looked nice on her. It brought out her eyes, and... "Did you need something?"

"Just came to see you beautiful," James said suavely.

Lily rolled her eyes. "Well, if you don't mind, I like the quiet here."

"That's fine, you won't hear a peep out of me."

"Thanks," Lily said skeptically. She started making her way back across the water as James slipped into the pond and follow. Lily stopped halfway through and waited for him to get there, since he wasn't going to stop bothering her until he got whatever was on his mind off of it. "What?"

"What what? I'm just swimming."

"Come on, James, you don't hide things well."

"Do you think I'm a complete prat?" James asked bluntly.

Lily was a bit taken back, but thought about it. "Not a complete prat, you can be nice when it benefits you."

"What?" James asked incredulously. "I help... people... like, like, like when Peter was having trouble in Transfiguration, we all helped him, including me."

"You mean when you were all figuring out how to illegally change into animagi? That doesn't count," Lily said, then got a look of thoughtfulness, "but I suppose the reason you did that can be counted on your side." They both started swimming over to the dock on Lily's left.

"Thanks, at least you give me some credit," James said lifting himself up onto the dock. He put his hand down to help Lily sit next to him.

"I think you're very loyal, and there's something to be said for that," Lily said after really considering it. "You just have a skewed view on a good joke sometimes. As good hearted as I've seen you be with Sirius, Remus and Peter, you can be just as cruel to other people at school."

"Oh," James said. His hopes had been rising as she complimented him, but had been dashed by the critique.

"That's just my opinion on it though," Lily said. "I do have to give you credit for how good you are with your mother. You know I've always heard 'you can judge a man by how he treats his mum'."

"Really," James said, sitting up just a little straighter.

"Yeah, and I hope you don't mind me spending a lot of the time with her, but it's nice to have a female in the magic world that I can really look up to, you know? Besides, I know I don't have a lot in common with you and Sirius and I figured since your parents were the ones to invite me, it might be nice to get to know them a bit as well. Besides, your mum is easy to talk to and really cool. I just hope you don't mind me hanging around her," Lily said.

James smiled, "no, not at all. What makes you think I'd have a problem with that?"

"I don't know, I just didn't want you to be offended," Lily said shrugging and rippling the water with her toes.

"Nah, you could never offend me," James said, grabbing her hand and giving it a kiss right on top.

Lily was shocked with herself for actually smiling at this, but wiped the grin away, stood up and dived into the water. James pulled one knee into him, wrapping his arms around it, and just watched as Lily did calm, soothing laps.

July 6, 1979

Dear diary,

I'm almost surprised at how much fun I'm having here. I've discovered where James gets his over confidence from, though Kyla seems to keep Michael in his place better than anyone could with James. I've had a lot of fun with Kyla too. It may seem weird since she's nearly twenty years older than I am, but she's so cool and fun to be around. Today she showed me how to play an old wizarding game called Jumping Jills. It's one that most kids don't play anymore, but it really was a lot of fun. These little hoops are enchanted to move all around you and you have to catch as many as you can with a thin stick. When they end up on the stick, they stop moving. Person with the most rings wins.

Something weird is happening too. I've found myself thinking of James in weird ways, not bad weird, but more like seeing another side of him. He's always been too cocky to see anything else, but here he's just another 'kid' so to say. I suppose it's just that he has someone who knows how to control him, but I don't know. Maybe it's just my imagination running, but I think I'm actually warming up to him. Who ever thought that would happen right? James and Lily, friends... no it almost seems too weird. I guess there's no harm in friendship though, right?

A/N: Okay, before reviewing keep this in mind... Kyla knows what gets to her son, she's not just being mean or anything like that. As I was writing that part I realized anyone who's never really seen Kyla could very easily mistake it for her being too harsh, which is why I added the bit with her and Sirius talking like it was her plan from the beginning, aside from the fact that it was.

I hope you all like this chapter, and please PLEASE review

thank you:

Aikenlicious: Thank you for all of the reviews you've been giving me lately! I really appreciate it!

JamieBell: Yes, I love Kyla too... she's my fav. Gushing? What gushing? Are you gushing blood or something??? =) sorry, I know I'm a bit impatient when it comes to getting things posted, but I wanted to do this tonight, so I hope you're not upset at me for not waiting for your response to my email, but it is almost midnight, and I'm ready to go to sleep ZZZZZZ-ZZZZZZ, anywho... I asked my roommates, and they didn't think it too excessive, then I added the author's note. Peace Out!

angul-gurl: I'm glad you think so. There will be more pranking... lots more pranking muahahaha

dafalcon: funny! you read them backwards? well, uh, ok. I'm assuming you read the April Fool one right? Or are you going to read that out of order too? hehehe Hope you like this chappie!

Legendary Digitamer Lee: I'm sorry you thought I... how did you put it... have forsaken the Marauders... whatever that means. I'm sorry you feel that way about what I had decided to do, but I have to say, you can't just go around bashing ideas with no proof that that wouldn't happen. Who ever said that Lily couldn't beat the Marauders at their own game? I'm writing this just in case you happen to cross it on the off chance, but I have to write it none the less. Oh and btw, I had it under 'Parody' but it was pointed out to my by a friend that it technically is not a parody, since parodies make fun directly of something, like say, you making fun of the 'Stacy's Mom' song. This on the other hand is just humor. Romance was therefore the closest category, and there is that 'kissing' moment at the end, which I count, even though it is very slight. Unfortunately that was the best I could do when it comes to categories. I'm sorry if you find this in any way offensive, but I also think it immature to base whether I'm on your favorites in any way on this one point of contention, not that being on your favorites is what really keeps me going in life. Thank you for your other reviews, however.