Disclaimer: Everything belongs to JK Rowling, except characters and events you can't recognize as being part of the Harry Potter series.

A/N: hey again! Well, I have to say, I'm a little disappointed at the lack of response I'm getting for this fic. I know it's not as good as Changing Rooms, but still, this is a completely new idea that I'm working with, so please cut me a little slack for that! Anyway, thanks for the reviews that I did get, and I hope you like this one.

Chapter Ten

Understanding

If there was one thing Sarah hated, it was unresolved conflict. Whenever she and Lily had had a fight when they were in Hogwarts, she had always been the one to try and quickly patch things up. She couldn't handle not knowing what was going on, or where she stood. That was why Tuesday morning found her standing outside the door to the Marauders apartment, confronting a pajama clad and rather sleepy Sirius Black.

"Look, I only said no to going out with you because I like you more than any other guy in the world, and that scares me, and I'm not sure if I want to explore this, just in case I get hurt, or you drop me like you used to drop girls in Hogwarts, and I just couldn't bare it if you did, so I think he best thing would be if we just went back to being friends and ignored this whole mess." She took a deep breath and then let it out in a sigh.

Sirius was standing as if a strong wind had blown past him just then.

"Come in," he said, turning away and letting her follow him inside.

The guy's apartment was in the usual disarray, but she managed to find space to sit on the couch. Sirius was silent as he made coffee for them both, and carried it over on a tray with some biscuits he'd managed to dig up from somewhere.

"Thanks," he said, looking at her honestly. "I'm glad you came to talk, instead of ignoring this."

"That's ok...I just...well, I don't like not knowing where I stand," Sarah finished, accepting the mug he handed her.

"Now it's my turn to be honest," Sirius began. He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. "You're the first girl I've ever felt this way about, but I now realize that you're right. Maybe we should leave this for a while, because this is...unknown to me. I don't know how to act, so perhaps I should...I dunno, explore this?" he half smiled. "I love you, Sarah. But let's be friends for a while longer."

Sarah opened her mouth, and then shut it again. Instead she smiled. Things were working out.

JAMES AND LILY

Lily had been confused of late. She was beginning to suspect that the anonymous notes could be from James. There was just something about the way he had been acting of late. Kind of furtive and slinky. And there was the way he had hit his head directly after she had found out what the last note meant. It was almost as if he had been shocked. Of course, that could have been because some creepy weirdo was sending her notes professing love...Lily sighed. She hated mysteries.

She was hanging around the park opposite her apartment.

"Hey, Lily," came a voice from behind her. James' voice. She turned with a smile.

"Hi," she greeted him, eyes shining in the way they only ever did when he was around.

"What's up? You look a little upset," James said, concern ringing through his voice.

"Oh, I'm not upset," Lily reassured him. "A little confused and angry, but apart from that, I'm fine."

"Why? It wasn't something I did was it?" James said quickly. He was being very careful not to hurt Lily again.

"No, just- you know, those notes I've been getting?" Lily said, rolling her eyes. "I'm getting sick of them."

James looked away, out over the park.

"Yeah well, don't dwell on it, I'm sure the creep will come out soon enough," he said. "Just tell me when he does, and I'll take care of him!"

Lily grinned.

"Yeah, I'm sure you would."

It was nice being with James these days. Just comfortable and easy going like it used to be. Suddenly, he reached over and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"I say we go out again soon,' he said, a smile haunting the corner of his lips.

Lily nodded.

"Only if it's as good as it was last time," she warned. Then she laughed. Life was so beautiful at moments like this.

"What's so funny?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing. I'm just happy. You...you make me feel beautiful," she said honestly.

For a moment, James looked at her. Then he kissed her again, lingering this time.

"You are beautiful," he murmured.

And in that moment, she really believed it.

A/N: sorry that this was a) short and b) really late in coming out! I had a lot to do so it took a while. But thanks for all the reviews again, and keep them coming please!

Luv Jaizar.