"It's been five days, and nothing from James." Lily complained to Norma at lunch. "Why isn't he getting jealous? He's just making out with that Delia girl even more."
"Maybe he isn't the jealous type." Norma said. "Sirius was, though."
Sara ran into the Dining hall. She got dirty looks from the Professors, so she slowed down to a fast walk. "Lily, come with me. This is urgent." Sara said. "Norma, come along, too." Sara led Norma and Lily out to the hallway.
"What is it?" Lily said. "Is it about James?"
"No, it's about your fake boyfriend." Sara said. "He's tricking you!"
"Tricking me how?" Lily said.
"Lily, darling!" Sirius said walking in on the threesome. "I saw you leave quickly and I was worried about you."
"Sirius, James isn't here now." Norma pointed out. "You don't have to put on the whole show for us. We know the truth."
"But if James walks in suddenly, I don't want to be caught off guard." Sirius said while he put his arm around Lily. Just then James walked out into the hallway with Delia. "Speak of the devil! James, we were just talking about you."
"What were you talking about?" James said. "Besides my good looks, my amazing Quidditch playing, my intelligence, say when."
"No, James, we were talking about the real you." Sara said.
"That is James." Delia said stupidly.
"She was making a joke, Delia." Norma said.
"Oh. Well, James and I have to go now." Delia said. "Right, James?"
"Yeah, exactly." James said looking at Lily. Lily turned away.
"I have an idea. Lily and I were talking about going to that new café that opened in Hogsmeade for our next date." Sirius said. "They have a deal, buy two drinks, get two free. Want to double date?"
"Ooooooh! A café!" Delia squeaked. "James, don't you want to go to a café? It sounds so sophisticated!"
"Sure, Sirius." James said. "A double date. You and Lily with me and my girlfriend." James put an extra emphasis on girlfriend.
"Great." Lily said. "My boyfriend and I will just love that." Lily put the same emphasis on boyfriend as James had put on girlfriend.
"Norma, don't you like cafés?" Sara said.
"No." Norma said. Then, getting the idea, "Oh, you mean the new café? Yes, definitely."
"Well, if we can find dates soon enough, may we tag along?" Sara said.
"Sure." Sirius said. "How about Remus and Peter?"
"I was thinking of someone else." Sara said.
At the same time, Norma said, "Remus would be perfect."
"This will be just great." Lily said. "Right, James?"
"Wonderful." James said. "C'mon Delia." James and Delia left. Lily started tearing up and ran away. Norma and Sara followed her. Sirius realized that maybe his plan wasn't working out so well after all.
Remus walked into the hallway, and said very coldly, "Oh, hello Sirius."
"I haven't been much of a gentleman, have I?" Sirius said. "Remus, about what I said..."
"I'll take that as an apology and you're forgiven." Remus said. "But only if you will help me get Lily and James back together."
"Lily and James." Sirius said. "I guess I have to." Sirius stood there for a minute. Then people poured out of the dining Hall to get to the next class. People were shouting and screaming. Sirius just stood there. A few people made some rude remarks, but he just stood there. The hall cleared out and soon it was empty again. James walked down the hall and saw Sirius. "Hey." Sirius said.
"Hey." James replied.
"Lily's excited about the date thing." Sirius said.
"So is Delia." James said, keeping a mutual conversation going.
"Lily's not so excited about that." Sirius said. "Neither am I. Truthfully, I don't think Sara or Norma or Remus or Delia or anyone should be there. Just you and Lily."
"Truthfully," James said sighing. "I agree with you."
"Sorry I tried to trick you. I'm sure Remus told you." Sirius said.
"It's okay, Padfoot." James said. "Moony was just being a friend."
"Speaking of Moony, the full moon is coming up, isn't it?" Sirius said.
"Yeah, I think it is." James said.
"What are you troublemakers doing outside of class?" a teacher said walking up to them.
"We got stuck in the disappearing step in that staircase." James lied pointing to the wrong staircase.
"We're going to class now." Sirius said. The boys left before the professor could say anything else. "Did Wormtail tell what he did the other day?"
"No, what?" James said.
"Beat me at chess." Sirius said.
"Well, Sirius, anyone could do that." James replied and the laughed. The Marauders were back together.