...Winding Path...

By Zetta
SUMMARY: James Potter's had a rough year, and when he decided he needs a break from being an Auror, Albus Dumbledore comes up with an interesting proposition....
CHARACTERS: James Potter, Lily Evans, Sirius Black, Sybil Trelawney, Taura Sinastra, Minerva McGonagall, Albus Dumbledore, and more!
RATING: PG-13
SUMMARY: Settling down to Hogwarts once again, life slowly moves on.
DEDICATION: To Aileron, for looking this over and telling me that it's much better than the first try. Thank you!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a re-do of this chapter because I hated the original and couldn't figure out what to do with it until the first reviews for it came in. So, MUCH thanks to those who reviewed the original of this chapter and weren't afraid to say what they liked and disliked about it. :o) I really appreciate it. Oddly enough, it's much more satisfying to hear people say that they *didn't* like parts of it. (But feel free to offer mind-numbing praise, too- I dig that stuff. :o)
Note that some scenes are new, some scenes are revised, some scenes are completely rewritten and others are deleted entirely. If you don't feel like re-reading it, I'll post a summary of this new version at the start of the next chapter.

Chapter Eight (Attempt #2)

Somewhere out there, the gods were laughing.

James kicked his shoes off and practically collapsed on his bed, not moving for a very long moment. Then his glasses started bothering him and he sighed and rolled over on his back, taking them off to set them on his night table and rubbing his eyes.

Five years ago he'd been a student at Hogwarts, playing practical jokes on anyone who annoyed him or irritated him or interested him, and now he was a professor at the same school, working with Dumbledore, the man who'd practically been his idol, on a way to stop Lord Voldemort from attacking and killing more people.

As tired as he was, it was a very amusing idea.

It was very late now, he saw, glancing at the clock on the night stand. At least he had a good reason to be tired.

A week had passed since school had started. Dumbledore and the rest of the staff had been pleased to see him back, and Lily Evans had looked especially glad. That made him feel rather pleased. It had been even nicer when he'd walked her back to her classroom later on, and she'd asked if he wanted to try the bowling thing with her over the weekend- they'd made plans to go out tomorrow evening with Remus, Peter, and Sirius, and Taura and Sybil.

Whatever differences the three women had had, apparently they'd been cleared up.

He sat up and stripped down, then tugged on a pair of pajama pants he'd left lying on the end of his bed, then pulled the blanket over himself, his mind drifting back to what he and Dumbledore had been talking about for so long that evening.

After dinner, Dumbledore had requested his presence in his office. James had followed him in, not certain what to expect.

It had been something of a surprise to find Alastor Moody, Arabella Figg, and Mundungus Fletcher waiting for him. The four of them were known to be friends of sorts, and James couldn't imagine what they wanted with him.

But then Dumbledore had told him about the Order of the Phoenix, and how they wanted to create a coalition of sorts against Voldemort- against all Darkness, really. James hadn't needed to hear much before he agreed to join them- and no one had looked surprised.

And then for two hours they had sat and discussed possible plans, and it had felt so very strange to be speaking to Dumbledore and Moody and Fletcher and Figg as an equal, when he had grown up terrified of them, and knowing that if he ever dared to call them by their first name even, surely the gods would find out and he'd be in deep trouble...

They had taken a break then because Minerva McGonagall had needed assistance with a few unruly students, but James had talked to the other three while waiting for the situation to be sorted out.

And while he had been very impressed just to be in the same room as them, he had calmed down enough that he could piece some of the information together that they had let slip- though James was very sure that they expected him to do so.

The most interesting and important thing they knew was that they had a man on the inside of Voldemort's ranks. A higher-up one, to judge from some of the information that had been disclosed.

James had realized this about three quarters of the way through the second half of the meeting, and it had nearly driven him mad trying not to ask too many questions.

He rolled over in bed, laying on his side and staring out the thick window pane, at the shadows that the moonlight cast...

Moony.

The thought of his friend made him frown, for more than one reason.

The first because he'd forgotten to send him a reply to his letter- Remus had written asking about the bowling thing. James had known right away from the forced tone of it that he wasn't doing too well, and had very carefully composed a response, not wanting to press too much, but afraid that if he didn't press a little, Remus would keep it locked up inside him, as he had done dozens of times before. The reply was sitting on his desk in the other room, sealed and waiting to be mailed. Now it would have to wait until morning.

The second reason was because of the Order of the Phoenix- Sirius, Peter, and even Lily, Taura, and Sybil had been mentioned as being part of it- but Remus had not ever come up, as a potential member or as someone who had already signed the lengthy and secretive list. The list had been enchanted so that none of the other names were legible to anyone except its four leading members- Figg, Fletcher, Moody, and Dumbledore.

James decided he would ask Dumbledore about it in the morning, along with the dozens of other questions that came to him now that he was alone.

It took a long time to fall asleep, and when he did, he dreamt of his parents.

*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*

Saturday morning, Lily woke up even earlier than normal and went down to breakfast. Somewhat to her surprise, she found that Sybil was in there as well. "Good morning," she said, and took a seat next to her.

Sybil nodded stiffly. She was still angry about the argument that they had had before Christmas, but after the news about Remus's parents had gotten around, Lily had gone up to see her and they had mostly worked things out. "You still going bowling with us tonight?"

"Is Potter still going?" Sybil asked, taking a sip of tea.

Lily nodded. Sybil nodded back. "Then I am- the less time alone you two have, the better."

Lily figured that she really should be offended by that, but didn't let herself consider it. She wasn't willing to get in another fight with her. Instead, she got a croissant from the basket in front of them and ripped off a small piece of it, deciding to ignore the comment completely.

Sybil poured herself some more tea. "Is Sinastra still going?"

While Lily and Sybil and Lily and Taura had settled their issues, Sybil and Taura seemed perfectly content to go on and never speak to each other again.

Lily rolled her eyes. "Taura is still going, yes."

Sybil took another sip of tea, her expression rather cold. "Lovely."

It was such a traditional Sybil-like expression that Lily had to laugh.

Sybil gave her an irritated look.

They sat in a comfortable silence while Lily ate her breakfast, and Sybil finished hers.

Minerva McGonagall entered the hall a short while later, and while she smiled at Lily, her expression was slightly less friendly when she looked at Sybil. "Good morning," she said to them both.

"I knew you would be in here next," Sybil said at once, adopting a rather dreamy tone that everyone knew McGonagall deplored. Lily was careful to hide her expression when she saw McGonagall give Sybil an irritated look.

"I'm sure that was quite a prediction," McGonagall said. "Seeing as we three are usually the only ones who get up before seven on a Saturday morning."

Sybil shook her head, and Lily looked away, amused, as her best friend told the stern woman that she had foreseen it when she had been crystal-gazing.

McGonagall looked irritated, and made a catty comment in reply.

The two tossed hidden insults back and forth while Lily watched in amusement until Sybil waved the older woman off. "Potter will be in here next, and I have no desire to stay here any longer."

Lily frowned a little, both at Sybil's desire to leave before he came, and at the fact that James was at that moment entering from the main entrance, instead of the side doors, as he usually used.

He looked very tired, but greeted them with a pleasant "Good morning" as soon as he looked up and saw them.

McGonagall looked irritated, and muttered something under her breath about Person-Locating Charms before she called out a greeting to him. Sybil smirked slightly and looked at Lily, clearly to find out if she was ready to leave as well.

Lily motioned for her to wait a minute. "You look tired," she said to James as he drew closer.

He shrugged and ran his fingers through his hair, making it stand up at even odder angles. "Albus kept me up last night, and then, just a short while after I fell asleep, I heard noises in my classroom." He gave McGonagall a pointed look. "Two of your students were in my classroom, trying to color the walls red and the floors gold."

"Why does that sound familiar?" Minerva wondered out loud, looking at James with a raised eyebrow.

James shrugged. "I can't imagine. There were four of us when we tried that, and we also turned all the chalk red and rigged the Slytherin seats. Anyway, they didn't know how to do the spell properly, and were trying to do the wall one brick at a time. I taught them the proper way of doing it and offered the suggestion that next time they be more quiet. Then I sent them to the Potions room."

McGonagall looked horrified. Lily and Sybil exchanged amused looks.

James continued. "Then, about half an hour after that, just when I was settling into bed again, I heard more noise in the classroom. I got up and found two young Slytherins in there. They were trying to color the room green and silver."

"Did you suspend them?" Minerva asked suspiciously. "I do hope you are planning on speaking with Arabella and I about these students. And you're supposed to treat students equally, so I hope you didn't punish them."

"I treated them the same," he assured her. "I showed them the correct way to do it and told them to do it to your room."

Lily laughed while McGonagall looked very startled.

James winked at Lily, then began buttering the muffin he'd sliced in half.

McGonagall stood up rather quickly and left the Great Hall, casting an irritated look back at James. She nearly ran into Arabella Figg. "I thought you and Albus were gone for the day," Minerva said.

Arabella rested on her cane. One of the cats trotted over, and James slid his chair back and lifted it into his lap, petting it. "Do you really think that old coot will get out of bed this early?" Figg asked sharply. "Of course not. He'll be along in another hour."

James looked as though he wanted to laugh. Minerva snorted.

"You've eaten already, Minerva?" Arabella asked, sitting down.

"No, but I need to go back to my classroom," Minerva answered. She frowned. "Potter was kind enough to send two students of yours in the direction of my classroom last night."

Arabella looked amused. "You're fortunate then that I've already taken care of the situation. Your two and my two will be serving detention under Professor Potter's direction next Friday, from the end of dinner until eleven in the evening, at which time he will escort them back to their dormitories."

James looked startled, and this time, McGonagall was the one to laugh. "I've got plans for next Friday," James protested, though he didn't look too upset.

Arabella smirked. "I had plans for this morning that did not include cleaning paint off of my walls and ceilings, and lecturing students. Such is life, Professor."

James sighed. "This is why we didn't get caught," he muttered.

"You'll get caught soon enough, Potter," Sybil said suddenly. "For better or for worse."

James and Lily both looked at her. So did Arabella and Minerva, both more dubious.

Sybil shivered and shook her head, standing. "I'm going back to my classroom."

"I'll go with you," Lily said, a little concerned by Sybil's expression- she looked rather distant, as though she were seeing things that no one else could.

Lily wasn't sure she believed Sybil was psychic, but she knew she didn't want her stumbling around the school while seeming so ill.

"We still on for tonight?" James asked after she'd stood.

"Unless you've changed your mind," Lily answered with a smile for him. "See you later," she said.

James waved and resumed eating, and Lily followed Sybil out into the hallway. "What did that mean?" she asked as soon as the door had shut behind her.

Sybil shook her head slightly, looking oddly frightened. "Another dream," Sybil answered shortly. "I don't want to talk about it."

Lily looked up at the ceiling and sighed. She didn't want to talk about Sybil's 'dreams' either.

Sybil sighed and looked over at her. "Just what do you see in him, anyway?"

Lily looked away for a moment, then back at her. "I can't explain it. He's just... right. And that sounds weird, but it's the best way I can describe it. He's funny, he's smart, he's interesting... We've got a lot of things in common, I think. We get along well. He's a great teacher."

"That would matter if you were a student," Sybil said, sounding a little irritated.

Lily gave Sybil a half desperate look. "There's got to be something that you don't mind about him."

"I've seen that something horrible will happen involving him, and soon. Someone will get hurt."

"You've been saying that since the start of the year, Sybil," Lily reminded her quietly.

Sybil shivered a little, and for a moment, Lily was reminded of the eleven year old Hufflepuff that she had once been. But Sybil hid it quickly, wrapping one of her shawls around her thin arms. "This is different. He was the focus of the dream, not you."

Dreams again. Lily bit her lip and looked away, then looked back at Sybil. "His friends are nice, even if you don't like them."

"They've been in my dreams too."

"He's got a nice arse?" Lily tried, a little bit desperately.

Sybil gave her an amused look, much to her relief. "Black has a nicer one."

Lily stared at her, the relief quickly fading. "Black? Sirius Black?" Lily's mind began racing, and her thoughts weren't entirely pleasant- the idea of Sybil being attracted to Sirius in any way was rather worrisome...

Sybil snorted. "I know what you're thinking, Lily, and stop. I'll always remember him as the wretch who we caught in the girl's lavatory in fourth year. Either that, or I'll think of the nightmares and prophetic dreams I've had with him involved." She lost any amusement and looked out the window, her face unnaturally pale. Her voice was soft and dreamy, as though she'd just had one of her predictions. "I keep seeing him in my dreams. He's interfering with something, and he means well, but it ends in a horrible, bloody disaster every time. I don't know what it is though." She rubbed her arms as if cold, then shivered and pulled one of her shawls around her skinny arms.

Lily hoped it really was the cold, because she felt a shiver go down her back too. She bit her lip, then looked up again. "Well. Tonight maybe you'll have enough fun you could forget the dreams for a while?"

"More likely," Sybil said. "If it goes as it has for the past few evenings out, I'll be stuck chatting with Black, while you and James flirt, Sinastra and Remus disappear, and Pettigrew finds someone else to chat with."

Lily winced. "I promise it won't be like that. Really. Except for Taura and Remus- I make no promises about them."

Sybil didn't seem to find that funny.

Lily sighed and gave her a one armed hug as they walked up a set of stairs. "It'll be fun," she promised.

Sybil snorted. "Then don't leave me alone with that twit again."

Lily nodded. "I swear."

*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*

"Strike!" Sirius yelled happily, doing a victory dance as he made his way back to the seats.

The outrageous wink he sent towards Sybil, Lily, and Taura had them all laughing, as well as the charming dance he did before plopping down in a seat near Peter, who was talking with a pretty girl he'd met while getting drinks. For all his faults, he had incredible luck with girls- they all seemed to go for his shy approach.

James groaned as he got up- he had not hit a pin yet, and this was the eighth frame of the first game. Even Peter had hit several times, giving himself a nice score of 108. Remus was doing well, as he'd been bowling before, and Sirius was doing fabulously- James wanted to hit him for it, too. Especially when Lily gave James a sympathetic kiss on the cheek and suggested he get Sirius to help him.

Irritated, he sighed and walked up to get the bright pink ball Lily had shoved in his hands, assuring him that the color didn't matter and that it was supposed to weigh be light enough that it could pass for a dimple-less Bludger. He wasn't sure he believed her, and had long ago given up on trying to throw it properly, and now just tossed it down the long, slippery lanes, not really caring where it went.

This time, he hit pins- all ten of them.

In the wrong lane.

He swore and glared at the pins, which seemed to be mocking him.

His friends were mocking him too, and he wasn't sure he wanted to turn around and face them. Remus, who was up on the lane that James had just thrown down, was laughing so hard he nearly dropped his ball- and while James was pleased to see he looked like that, he couldn't exactly say he was quite as happy to be the reason why.

With a sigh, he turned around, noting that the people in the other lanes were giving them funny looks.

Of course, that could have been because Sybil was still dressed in her robes, and Peter was wearing a very old-fashioned Muggle suit, and Sirius was wearing a top hat, vest, tie and blue jeans. But it could have also been because they were laughing at him too.

"Perfect Potter," Sirius exclaimed merrily, his face like one giant grin. "Nice job, Prongs! Absolutely spiffing!"

James raised two fingers and gave the reverse of the victory sign to Sirius and sat down, glaring at the pins at the end of the lane.

"Good one," Lily said, switching seats so she sat between him and Sybil. She was grinning as widely as Sirius.

He sighed. "I suppose I couldn't tell you that I did that on purpose?"

She shook her head, still grinning. "About as likely that I'd believe it now as I would have earlier, when the ball rolled towards us."

"This game," he declared. "Is absolutely terrible."

"You'd prefer it with bowls?" Lily teased.

He made a face at her and decided he'd spend a good bit of the night sulking- at least until they were done with this bowling thing.

"I'm up," she said, and gave him another grin, and whispered something to Sybil, then went up to throw the ball.

"Do you go out and do this a lot?" James asked Sybil, mostly looking to ease the tension she radiated now that she wasn't laughing at him any more.

She gave him a cool smile. "We used to. It's been a long year though."

Sybil, of course, was doing better than him. She was actually doing better than all of them, including Lily, who was the only one who had grown up bowling regularly. Sybil tossed her hair back over her shoulder, looking away from him.

He studied her for a moment, trying to come up with something to say to her. She was Lily's best friend, so it would make sense for him to try to get along with her too. Right? He wasn't entirely sure... He watched as Lily threw the ball (down the proper lane), and knocked down nine of the ten pins. She looked quite pleased with that, and her hips swayed as she walked back to the ball return. She leaned over to say something to Sirius, and the two laughed. "You've known Lily since first year?" he asked.

It was apparently a bad subject. She gave him a strange look, as though he'd just insulted her, or at very least, brought up a painful subject. "I've known her since then, yes, and she's my best friend. We're very close. You'd do well to stay away from her."

She stood up before James could say anything to that unusual statement. Absolutely puzzled, he stared after her, hardly noticing when Taura sat down next to him.

Lily was still standing next to Sirius, talking to him, and she frowned at Sybil and glanced back at he and Taura. She looked a little concerned.

"She's jealous," Taura said softly. "She and Lily have been friends for so long that she thinks Lily won't want her around if she get serious about you."

"Sybil is?" James asked.

Taura nodded. "She's been telling Lily that she's having dreams-"

"Good gossip?" Lily asked, suddenly standing near them. She looked upset, and was frowning at Taura.

Taura gave her a long look. "Nothing you haven't heard."

Lily crossed her arms. "This is neither the time nor place to talk about it then," Lily said.

The two women exchanged a look that was so cold that James felt uncomfortable. He stayed quiet, figuring that it was better to be ignored in this situation, and find out what it was about later on. He was assuming it had something to do with him, and that wasn't exactly making matters more comfortable.

Sybil threw a ball and got a strike, but when she turned around, she didn't look pleased. Her eyes had fallen on Lily and Taura.

And unfortunately, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were starting to notice the tension.

Lily looked away from Sybil, her arms folded in front of her. "Peter," she said. "You're up next." She looked over at Taura again. "We'll talk about it later, okay?"

"You're not my mother, Lily," Taura said softly. "And I think that he should know what this is about."

"And if he should, it's not your place to tell him. It's up to Sybil or I. Not you. And certainly not now."

"Neither of you would tell him," Taura said, her arms crossed in front of her.

James was more than a little relieved when Sirius stood up and joined them, stepping between them with a fake grin on his face, as though he didn't know that they were arguing. He slipped his arms around their waists and hugged them to his sides. "Jim, you're up. Off to entertain us with a stunning zero once more?"

Taura and Lily looked away from each other, and both broke free from Sirius as one, Taura going off to get something from the snack bar and Lily going off to say something to Sybil.

James and Sirius exchanged a long look, but decided it would be safer to talk about it later.

And then James sighed and stood up to humiliate himself some more.

*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*

James slipped off with Lily while everyone else was finishing up their second game. They went into the bar at the opposite end of the building and sat at one of the free tables in the back. "Sorry about earlier," Lily said, not quite meeting his eyes. "Things aren't quite going properly with Sybil and Taura."

"And I'm not helping, I sense," James said.

She smiled tersely. "It's a long story, but there's nothing you could do about it anyway. So don't worry about it."

"Funny," he said, studying her expression. "I was sure that Sybil suggested things would be better if I stayed away from her."

Lily blinked, then met his eyes, looking very irritated. "She did what? She told you to-" She cut herself off and sat back in her chair, rubbing her eyes. "Wonderful."

He shrugged. "It's got me curious, of course, but I can wait to find out if you're not willing to share."

He'd hoped she would, of course, so when she gave him a small smile, obviously relieved, he was a little disappointed.

"Thank you," she said, and for a moment, their eyes locked, and he seriously considered leaning over and kissing her.

The moment was ruined, however, when Peter came in, smiling cheerily. "There you are," he said, apparently oblivious. "Remus is leaving, and asked me to find you."

James and Lily continued to look at each other for a moment, then James looked back at Peter. "We're on our way," he said, standing and going around to help Lily out of her chair. She looked amused by the attention.

They exited the little bar and began walking down to the lanes their group was gathered at. Taura and Remus stood chatting on one end, and Peter and Sirius stood talking with Sybil, who looked was, oddly enough, smiling at whatever Sirius was saying.

She lost her smile when James and Lily got closer, and James found himself wondering why. He didn't ask, but also noticed that she and Lily gave each other a long look.

Best friend talk, he mused, finding it a little humorous. He and Sirius had long ago discovered that they knew each other so well that they didn't always need to talk. To a certain extent, it had worked with all four of them. But apparently Lily and Sybil had that art down to a science.

When they broke eye-contact, Lily looked amused, and Sybil was shaking her head slightly.

"Moony's got an early morning," Sirius explained. "So he's leaving us so he can sleep for work. Isn't that awful?"

"Where are you working at?" James asked, looking at Remus.

Remus didn't quite meet his eyes either. "Oh, just a little place down the street. Paper work and that sort of thing, nothing special."

Taura kissed his cheek. "You still coming up next weekend?"

Remus flinched. "I'd forgotten to tell you. I can't make it up there- I got a second job, working on Saturday nights."

She looked disappointed, but kissed his cheek. "All right then. Owl me when you get some time, will you?"

"I will."

"We've got to get going too," Lily said, glancing at her watch. "I'm working with some students in the morning."

"I have an appointment as well," Sybil said.

James glanced at his watch. "It's only one o'clock," he argued. "Stay later."

Lily gave him an amused look. "So I can fall asleep trying to teach them what a curling iron is?"

James stared at her, a little shocked. "You teach them about torture devices?"

Lily laughed at him, and then had to turn away for a few moments, she thought it was so funny.

"I don't get it," Peter said uncertainly.

Lily faced them again, her eyes still shining with amusement. "It's not a... Oh, bother, don't worry about it."

James gave up trying to figure it out. "I'll walk you out at least."

"We'll go order something good to drink," Sirius said, motioning towards himself and Peter. "But you're paying for the next round."

James nodded and walked with Lily, Taura, Sybil and Remus down to the doors.

Taura and Remus stayed back, and James had a very good idea what they were doing- pretty much what he wanted to do with Lily. "I guess I'll see you in the morning," he said.

Sybil snorted and crossed her arms. She was obviously not going anywhere. Lily looked torn between amusement and irritation, but settled on amusement. She kissed his cheek. "Good night, James. Come over and see me if you don't get back too late."

"Good night," he said to her, and nodded slightly to Sybil.

He glanced back around the corner at Remus and Taura and raised an eyebrow. "They look like they're going to be a while."

Lily rolled her eyes and glanced around before pulling out her wand and discreetly pointing at them. She murmured a Shock Curse, and the embracing couple jumped back from each other. James realized suddenly that the couple could see him, and that he was very much the most likely suspect for having broken up their little snog. He gave Lily an irritated look. "I'm going to get hexed for that, you know."

"Yes, you are," Remus growled as he and Taura joined them. "But I'll wait for a more opportune moment." He smiled at Lily and Sybil. "See you soon," he said.

The three women waved and said goodbye, and then they walked off into the shadows of the parking lot and Disapparated.

James looked over at Remus. "What's really going on?" he asked.

Remus looked a little surprised. "What do you mean?" he asked, his tone cautious.

"On a Sunday? Even Muggles don't work then. And if I'm wrong, where are you working?"

Remus shifted, looking away, looking very uncomfortable. "I'm working on a Sunday, James. And I don't quite feel like discussing my job because it's not one I'm extremely pleased with. So if you don't mind, I'll be leaving now." He started to turn and walk away.

"Moony, stop," James said quietly, touching his shoulder. "I didn't mean to piss you off. I'm worried about you."

Remus looked at him, then shook his head. "Don't be, James. You've got enough to deal with. I'm fine."

"You lost your parents not a month ago," James said. "I know what it's like."

"Do you?" Remus asked softly. "James, you're a dear friend. And maybe, as you're not so discreetly pointing out, I should talk with you. But it's not something I'm ready for. There's... a lot going on right now. I don't want to drag you into it. Into any of it."

James didn't understand. "It's not dragging me into it if you tell me. It's not doing anything but telling me."

"James," Remus sighed. "Just stay out of it. Please. I'll be all right. You're doing all right, and you lost seven in one night. I can handle it."

James stared at him, not saying anything. Yes, more of his family had died- but Remus had always had a very close relationship with his parents- when he'd been bitten, they had stayed by his side, and had been forced to become his parents, nurses, and in a sense, his friends, for a very long time.

Remus shook his head, looking tired. "I'll see you later, Prongs."

"Night, Moony," James said after a long moment.

He waited until Remus had walked away to the darkness and Disapparated before he turned around and kicked the nearest wall, cursing himself for handling that so poorly.

He waited outside for a few minutes, then went inside, finding Peter and Sirius in the back of the Muggle bar and sitting, noticing as he did that the chairs in the bar were even less comfortable than the ones by the bowling lanes.

"Where's Remus really off to?" Sirius asked as he sat.

James shook his head. "He said it was a new job. He wouldn't tell me anything else."

"You don't think he's going to work early?" Peter asked, puzzled.

Sirius and James looked at each other. They both shook their heads.

"You think he's upset about the Order of Phoenix thing?" Sirius asked, lowering his voice. "Albus didn't mention him when he and I talked. Maybe he can't join for some reason?"

James shrugged again. "I meant to ask Albus this morning, but he was gone all day. I'd rather find out from Remus, anyway."

"We'll ask him next time we see him," Sirius said. "And then if he's not, we'll have to talk to Dumbledore about it. I'm sure Fletcher and Moody aren't the prejudiced type, and he was one of the best at Dark Arts in school. He'd be a plus."

Peter frowned a little. "Do you think they know about the-" Peter lowered his voice. "Animagus thing?"

James and Sirius looked at each other. Sirius shrugged. James shook his head. "If they did, we'd be in trouble. Who would believe that three students could do such a thing? They'd assume we did it as adults, and that's still just illegal, only this time with the full punishment."

"I'm a bit worried about him," Sirius admitted. "He's been having a hard time keeping a job because he has to take so much time off because of the damn full moon. Most people won't even hire him because of it. I talked with him a bit after you left on New Year's," Sirius said. "He's thinking about going into the Muggle world to look."

"He shouldn't have to do that," James said quietly.

"No," Sirius agreed. "But he won't be sensible and let us help him. I've offered dozens of times to split rent with him somewhere."

James shrugged. "I offered him a quarter of the house. All he'd have to do was pay for food and a couple galleons a month. He said no, of course. He could take half the house for nothing, and I wouldn't care, but he thinks it's all charity."

"You think he's going to be okay?" Peter asked quietly.

James sighed and looked over at him. Peter had always been the worrier of their group- the one who fretted the most about them when they were hurt or sick, the one who never teased them because he was afraid to go too far. The one who was always there for the others, though he himself was sometimes left behind. James felt a little guilty for that, and wished he could go back in time and berate himself for not being nicer to Peter. "He'll be fine," James said, determined to at least keep Peter in good spirits, even if he himself wasn't in the mood for it.

Sirius clapped Peter on the back, almost making the smaller man spit out his drink. Sirius had sensed that the time for worry was over. "Stop being such a woman and worrying so much. Drink and be a man!" He took a drink of his beer as if to emphasize that beer drinking meant manliness.

"You're the one who started it," Peter said, looking a little offended. He wiped foam from his mouth with his sleeve. "Quit picking on me, Sirius."

"Oh, learn to take a joke," Sirius said back, giving him a smirk. He took a drink of his beer. "Quite pathetic, you are."

Peter looked down at his drink, a frown on his face. He didn't say anything in response.

*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*

The light was on in Lily's classroom when James returned two hours later. He hesitated outside her door, then knocked and went in.

His lips twitched when he saw her laying sound asleep on the couch, a book and a cold cup of tea on the floor. The two rabbits were on top of her, apparently asleep as well.

He felt a bit ridiculous doing it, but took the blanket off the back of her desk chair and covered her up, rationalizing it to himself by noting that it was cold in the classroom, and it didn't mean anything more than that. She stirred as he tucked the blanket around her, not disturbing the rabbits either.

She woke up then. He heard the change in her breathing as soon as he put the lights out, and looked over to the couch again.

"James?" she asked, her voice filled with sleep. She sat up, putting the rabbits on the floor and pushing the blanket off her. "What time is it?"

"Quarter after three," he answered. "Why aren't you in bed?"

She wiped her eyes and stood up, looking at the blanket with confusion, then at him, a small smile suddenly appearing on her face. "You tucked me in," she said, sounding as though he were a child and had just done something "aww" worthy.

He felt himself flushing and was grateful for the dark. "In case you hadn't noticed, they don't heat this castle very well."

She laughed softly and folded the blanket up. "Come on in."

He shook his head. "No... You're obviously tired, and you've an appointment in the morning."

She crossed the room and stopped a little in front of him. "That didn't stop you from coming in here a bit ago."

He shrugged. "Your light was on. I figured you were awake." He took a step back, a little closer to the door. "It's late anyway. I'll see you in the morning."

"You wake me up and then you leave?" she asked with a short laugh. "Does that mean I can do that to you?"

He shook his head. "Absolutely not. I'd hex you."

"I'd charm your voice to sound like that of a twelve year old girl," she replied immediately. "Permanently."

He smiled. "Sirius and I tried to do that to Snape in fifth year- it didn't work."

"I was the best in Charms six years in a row," Lily reminded him. "It'll work for me."

"Be that way," he grumbled.

"I suppose I should walk you to your door then," she said. "Since you were kind enough to tuck me in and all."

He hated himself for feeling embarrassed by her amused tone.

From the smirk on her face, he wasn't hiding it as well as he'd hoped. He rolled his eyes and stepped out of the classroom.

True to her word, she walked all the way next door with him, and then they looked at each other. "Shall I walk you to your door now?" he teased, and before she could stop him, he took her arm and walked her back to her room.

She laughed softly and leaned against the wall, looking up at him and taking his hand. Her hand was soft and small in his. "Are we going to play games all night long?" she asked.

"No," he said softly. "I think the games are done with for now."

They kissed then, in the dim light of the hallway, their lips meeting for the first time in a long, lingering kiss. He closed his eyes and knew she had done so too. His fingers found their way up to touch her hair, and he realized that it was as soft as it had looked.

Her fingers skimmed across his jaw, and one hand rested against his chest, and she made a soft noise when their lips parted, as though she were being deprived of something. They gazed into each other's eyes for a very long moment before he kissed her again, lightly.

Neither broke the embrace for a long moment after their lips parted again.

Then she smiled a little and let her hands drop to her sides and he stepped back, smiling back at her. "Good night, Lily," he said.

"Good night, James," she said again, and stepped inside her classroom, glancing back at him again before she shut the door.

He waited a few minutes before he turned around and looked over into the shadows of the Transfiguration classroom's doorway. "Enjoy the show, ma'am?"

"I heard voices," Minerva answered, sounding mildly guilty beneath the tough front she tried to put up. She stepped out of the shadows a little. "And there were students out of bed not twenty minutes ago. I assumed that it was them, back again. By the time I realized who it was, I didn't want to... disturb you. But be grateful it's just me."

He nodded solemnly, torn between the urge to laugh that she felt the need to explain herself, or cringe because she still held a lot of authority in his mind. "We'll try to be more careful about kissing next time, Professor. Make sure no one's around to spy."

She crossed her arms in front of her. "There are students around," she said. "Not all of them would understand what the Dark Arts professor was doing kissing the Muggle Studies witch."

"You're quite right," James said. "I'm so very ashamed of myself, and I'll be sure to lecture Lily in the morning too."

Minerva sighed. "Still impossible, aren't you? Go to bed, Mr. Potter."

"Good night, Professor," James said, walking back to his own room.

"Good night, James," Minerva said, and as he unlocked his own door, he heard her opening and closing hers.

He shook his head a little. Gossip would be all over the school by morning.

*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*

Okay, I feel better now. I don't know if you'll think it's better or not, but I do, so... Yeah. Those of you who have already read this, I'm sorry for making the first version suck so very much, and I hope this is better. Because of my previous attempt and it's horrible-ness, please don't feel obligated to review or anything. The first one was *not* my best chapter, and I feel like I owe all of you an apology for posting it at all. But I guess the fantastic reviews (not completely praise but actual content) helped a *lot*.

UNCHANGED REVIEW RESPONSES
an_angels_reflection- thanks for reading, and yes, I pity the poor dears too! Hope you liked it!
Lamina Court- *grin* You're right, I like cheesy lines a lot. :o) And yes, you're excused from the questions- and you still get full marks because you answered some. I did take your review into consideration when dealing with Sybil... More about her at the end. Due to your request, and requests from several others, the bowling scene happened- though without bowls. lol- I'm a sadist because of the deaths? Cool! Man, OotP is a long time away! *whines* *moves on* Thanks for reviewing!
WitchKingsMiniMe- Interesting name. :o) Poor Remmy is in for a rough time of it all- keep that plushie close. Um... any idea where I can get a plushie? :o) You know, one for each of the boys?
Beak- Glad you enjoyed, and hope you've read the rest!
everblue3- Darn you for being a girl! Grrr... I could live with the rest, even Milwaukee (I doubt you'd be willing to move just for little old me, and I'm somewhat happy here), but that female thing... *pouts*
*moves on* I wish I'd thought to include a comment like that- about how it won't take the pain away... Hrm.. Our decanters have sherry, some kind of wine that I don't particularly like, brandy, and I think one whiskey- that's one area of alcohol I do know, but I wasn't sure what kind would be most appropriate for four hurting guys, so I decided to leave it up to the imagination.
WAG is Wild Ass Guess, but I suppose "Wise" works just as well. :o) Sorry, it's commonly used in my family, so I figured most people were familiar with it. :o) I've had a huge row with myself over what to do with Sybil and her potential boyfriend (who wasn't actually going to be Sirius) and I've decided that I don't want that to be the focus of the story. Maybe I'll write another story about her and a guy one day, just to satisfy my insanity. I do like your reasoning for Sirius's laughter- and I may have to steal it. I haven't actually decided if I do that particular scene, but we'll see... That's going to be a horrible, wonderful, miserable part of the story to write, you know? lol, I appreciate your suggestions on her though. Thanks.
It was frustrating to read the Lily/Sybil/Taura argument? How so? I'm glad you thought it made sense though.
Well, I'm glad you think I handled the last chapter's slowly growing L/J-ness. This chapter might have ruined it though. Feel free to be honest about if you thought it sucked, or didn't work, or whatever.
*sniff* My poor Remus... He's got so much more to go through too, and then by the time it gets sorted out, his friends will all be dead or locked up, and he'll be alone. I'm glad to hear you appreciated the idea of Remus being treated differently- I wanted to include that so badly, and I'm glad someone noticed it. :o) You'll start to see more distance between him and the others soon, and soon enough you'll start to see how he gets to be suspect. And, well, you'll see what happens with him. *evil grin*
James will get over his issues with what he's doing eventually, though I'm still trying to sort out who it should come up with. I know when it'll happen, but I'm not so sure about if it'll be Lily or someone else... Again, we'll see. :o)
*sigh* You get your way with Sybil. And Peter will be suspicion-less, and already discussed Remus. lol, and I like your "words" quote. Very nice- and I might steal it for my signature for one of my e-mail addresses. :o)
lol- and you're not a slash fan? Well, you're the first one who noticed that comment and mentioned it... :o) Thanks for everything, of course!
mooncancer- lol, the 2nd to notice the slash mention. Sorry to scare you so much. But, as you just read, I refrained from any thing of the sort. :o)
StormMuse- lol, I'm glad you're enjoying. And that you think this story kicks ass. :o) Thanks for reviewing!
Jemi_Fal- Sorry to make you want to cry! I really didn't mean to!... okay, so maybe I did. Thanks for reviewing!
Quack Quack 88- Thanks for the review, and lol- "her inner eye wouldn't like it if her head was up in the clouds. You could say that it'd get cloudy." lol, that's so funny! Thanks! :o)
tigerlily- a bit of snogging for you- does that make you happy? :o)
Got Harry- Glad you enjoyed the chapter. I had a tough time deciding what to do about Sybil, though it wasn't going to be with Sirius. :o) Peter's position will soon start to be clear to you and everyone... :o) Thanks so much for your review- and I'm glad to hear that you read the Next Up part. :o) That was a fast update?! I don't even remember how long it was... lol. This one's about two weeks though. Thanks for reviewing!
Mooky- lol, you think Sybil should get a crush on someone? lol, and you think she should go around telling people "I told you so?" lol, that would be funny... We'll see how it works out. More Peter comments below... Remus comments below... And I tried to do a little bit of fluffy, but I also wanted to keep the main plot in focus... Very glad to hear you like Sybil!
Vega Black- Well, the students didn't catch them, but McGonagall did... But there are still several months of school left, so we'll see. Thanks for answering my questions, and for reviewing!
Sayo- Thanks for reviewing. One more vote for the Yes, Sybil Should get Sirius as a boyfriend column... :o) I'm sorry you dislike Peter so much... I've always felt he was one of the most important characters. Not to mention, he was a very good friend of James and Remus and Sirius for a few years before he turned bad- he wasn't always evil. And I do understand why you get so upset, I also feel the need to remind you that maybe if MPP had been around for him more often, he might not have gone bad...
Rita Skeeter- *blushes* You think it's powerful? I'm very pleased to hear that. Before I respond to the rest though, I wanted to thank you for your review- it was a very good review, and thought provoking as well. :o) Thank you very much, I really appreciate it.
lol, I truly didn't mean to make a play on "serious" and "Sirius". Really, I didn't. More about Sybil below.
Peter's weird in this story? Is it good weird or bad weird? More about Peter below.
Glad to hear you think Remus's bit wasn't inaccurate. :o) And I'm sort of heading in the same direction as you suggested, so... :o)
Here's your lighter fluffier chapter... *sigh* For what it's worth. And there will eventually be a wedding, though I don't know exactly when- I've changed my story around some more!
Kristinerz77-lol, no, I wasn't serious about What's Next. :o) And I think L/J have admitted it in this chapter, don't you agree?
Aileron- Better late than never! :o) You two are awesome enough that you deserve a dedication at least- though I wish I could have dedicated a happier chapter. But I like the last chapter a lot anyway, so I figure it works. Anyway, thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you think I'm good at torturing my brainchildren. I really should stick with that.... :o)

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: (Feel free to skip the reviews for this chapter since I screwed around with everyone and changed it up. But those of you who feel generous, feel free to say what you think!)
1.) Remus- Most of you felt pretty bad for Remus... Well, just as a reminder, he does end up being the number one suspect in the eyes of Sirius and James. Sirius we know because he says as much, James we know because he chooses Peter as the Secret Keeper, not Remus- or that's one theory at least. So I'm sorry to say that life is not going to be pleasant for poor Moony. More fun for me though!
2.) Peter- Just to give you a timeline, it's early 1979 right now. That means we've still got two years until October '81. Peter didn't really get mixed up with Voldemort until about a year before That Day. Don't worry, I'll drop hints when it comes that time, and I'm sure you'll pick it up. Until then, he's going to be having a tough time fitting in with everyone.
3a.) Spelling Sybil Trelawney & Other Bits- Do you know that her name is actually spelled "Sybill"? I didn't realize that until the start of this chapter, when I was looking something up at the Lexicon... Um... sorry? I'm not going to change it midway through the story though, maybe when I'm finished I'll go back and do it. Maybe. :o( Anyway.
After last chapter's mini-poll, I found that that the Sybil gets a boyfriend people and the Sybil doesn't get a boyfriend people were split right in the middle. It was a very tough decision, and I decided that I wanted to focus more on the other things that were going on, and that it would be easier and make more sense if Sybil didn't get involved with anyone. (Any guesses on who it was going to be? :o) So, thank you for your help with that decision. I'm considering writing a Sybill fic after I finish this and a few others, maybe then she'd get a lover.
3b.) Spelling Taura Sinastra & Other Bits- Do you know that her last name is spelled Sinistra, not Sinastra?! Man, I wish someone would tell me these things! *weak laugh* Um... yeah, thanks to Aileron for pointing that out to me. Everyone, feel free to call me an idiot for such stupid mistakes. Any others, while we're talking about it? (*mutters furiously* Now I feel like a hypocrite for getting so pissed when people spell names wrong- of course, at least I've had the important names right- Lilly Evens and Jemas Patter!) Now for the other bits- um... Actually, I'm just curious what y'all think... Any comments about her?
4.) Fluff- I hope that this is light enough for you all to find acceptable- this is as fluffy as I can handle. And I'll tell you, I'm *not* looking forward to having to write the wedding. I also sincerely hope that this revised version is better than the original, but if it's not, please feel free to tell me- I really appreciate honesty in reviews, even if it's not the greatest news for my ego.
5.) As always, I'm interested in hearing any additional comments or suggestions you have. It really does help me figure out what I'm doing when I hear from you!
RECOMMENDED FICS: I'm sure you'll want something better after this chapter, so again I'll refer you to my Favorite Stories List- check it out, it's worth it!
A very special thank you to everyone who's reviewed. This is the first time I've broken 100 with reviews, and I really can't thank you guys enough. You're way too good to me. *sniff* I can't even begin to describe how much I adore all of you. Thank you so much. (*sniff* I love you guys, siriusly!)

UP NEXT: Well, let's put it this way. I know what's going to happen, I'm just not sure of how to describe it, because it's a bit more than a Quidditch match, and really, the Quidditch match isn't even the focus, and so you'll just ahve to wait and see. *huffy sigh*