AN: Sorry this chapter took so long! The computer broke down. Anyway, I hope you enjoy! :)

Idea #7: Bring the House Down

"It's Saturday tomorrow, mate," Remus mentioned.

"So?" James and Sirius said in unison.

"Well," Remus elaborated as he put down the book he was reading, "I was owling Mum yesterday, and I asked her for any...inputs she might have for you. And she gave me a really good idea. If it works, you're in the money for certain."

"What is it?" the other two Marauders chorused.

"According to Mum," Remus continued easily, milking it, "this is the single most important and the first thing you should've done, Prongs."

"WHAT IS IT?" James and Sirius practically screamed.

"Well...you should talk to her parents."

Two sets of jaws dropped open.

"I should've guessed that," Sirius mumbled.

"Talk...talk to her parents?" A panicked look crossed James's face.

"Exactly. Apparently, that was how my dad courted my mum. It's chivalrous and old-fashioned and very sweet." Remus crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back.

"But—but—they're MUGGLES! And Muggle PARENTS at that! How do I talk to them, Moony? HOW?!"

"Just go there and declare your intentions," Sirius answered.

James and Remus stared at him.

"What? I had a family, you know. And that was what suitors of my female relatives did."

"Well then, you heard Padfoot. Apparate there, tell them you fancy their daughter, and that you wish to enjoy a nice romantic relationship with her that will possibly lead to holy matrimony. Oh, and in your case, add the fact that you need their help to actually have that come true." Remus paused for breath.

Silence.

"Alrighty, when we're done digesting that, let's give it a shot! Sounds very promising," Sirius chirped.

A small smile was spreading on James's face. "It would be good to have her parents on my side."

Remus rose from his chair. "Then let's get started!"

"Started?"

"Yes! We've got to coach you on what to say, how to act, what to wear, and get permission from Dumbledore for you to leave the school. There's so many things to do!"

"Oh no! Dumbledore!" James remembered.

Remus looked completely unconcerned. "Please. I bet you all my possessions that the good old Headmaster will do his part in helping you achieve true love."

"Besides, he thinks that what you're doing is absolutely hysterical," Sirius added. "And Moony, you don't really have that many possessions to bet."

"Then I bet all your possessions," Remus shot back.

xxxxxxxxxx

"All right, Prongs, let's say I'm Mr. Evans. What do you say to me?"

It was late afternoon. Remus had been giving James culture and couture lessons for the past few hours.

"Um...Mr. Evans...erm...sir...ulp..." James faltered, looking helplessly at Sirius.

"Mate, if you don't get a hold of yourself, you are never going to make a good impression on the Evanses," Sirius drawled.

Remus sighed wearily and stood. "Well, we'll stop here. I've done all I can. It's almost dinnertime anyway."

Sirius stood up too. "In the meantime, I have to get over to Ravenclaw Tower."

"Why?" Remus asked even though he fully knew why.

"To declare my intentions." Sirius headed over to the door of the dormitory.

"Wait. What intentions do you have to declare? The entire school knows your intentions toward Nicole! I swear I heard a first year sobbing hysterically when you went off with her last time."

"She doesn't! She wants to be—those two horrific words."

"A nun!" James guessed.

"She wants a commitment! No?" Remus caught the death glare Sirius shot him. "Oh, let's see...Ah! Just friends?"

"We ought to record this historical moment!" James exclaimed.

"Don't you go rubbing salt in my wounds, Prongs! You're faring no better!" Sirius retorted.

"Now, now, Prongs. I'm sure our canine compadre here is feeling more than a little deep pain at having a girl speak such words to him. Especially a girl he fancies so much." Remus grinned. "Would you like some moral support? A nice plant, perhaps?"

Sirius pulled a bouquet out of his pocket. "Already have it. A prayer might be nice, though."

"Go for it, Padfoot!" James called.

xxxxxxxxxx

"Hello, Mr. Evans. My name is James Potter," James muttered under his breath.

It was Saturday morning. Dumbledore had, amidst much chuckling and snickering (James hadn't realized that the dear old Headmaster knew how to snicker), allowed James to go to the Evanses' for the morning. Now James was outside the grounds, preparing to Apparate to Lily's. He checked himself: he was wearing Muggle clothing Remus had picked out for him, a very happy Sirius had layered some more hair potion into his hair and made his coiffure look quite good, and James had also been warned many times to not mispronounce his own name. The rest was up to him.

"Let's go!" he muttered, and in a wink, he had disappeared.

xxxxxxxxxx

Mr. and Mrs. Evans were in the kitchen washing breakfast dishes when they heard a loud cry and what sounded like their roof falling down. In alarm, they rushed out of the kitchen.

A teenage boy with messy black hair was sitting on a pile of rubble that used to be a part of their living-room ceiling.

"Oops," he said.

AN: I LIFT ALL PRAISE UNTO GOD WHO SUPPLIES WITH EVERYTHING!

And to my dear reviewers:

a-non-i-magus- Yes, that does make me feel tons happier! Thanks! :)

Anonymuz- Thanks! :)

HarryNDracosDarlin- Thanks! Well, James will find that it was all worth it. :)

Chrissy8887779999- Well...Lily's just tough when it comes to James, considering how she used to hate him. :)

Annmarie Aspasia- Who'd want to be in her place? :)

James'Gurl215- Thanks! :) I was wondering how I was going to do the whole poetry thing, and it just popped into my head to use the house-elves. :)

Funky-disco-monkey- Well, seeing as how James ended up married to Lily, I'd say he pulled off everything nicely. :) And yes, James is wonderful :)

Invisible2u- Thanks! Wow, the idea of James and poetry is truly frightening... :)

Staring Stars- Thanks! Yeah, the things people do for love... :)

Cilverblood- Thanks! And sure, I'll try writing longer chapters. :)

Shortie522- Thanks! :) And yeah, it was about time the poor boy got a reprieve.

Laughing Fountain- Hey, nice to see you again! I'm glad you liked this story. :) Besides, I've already made Sirius and Remus suffer in my past two fics with James getting all the breaks, so now it's his turn to feel pain...mwahaha. :)

The-power-of-love- Thanks! :)

Dans-girl-4ever- Thanks! :)

KcluvsMl- Don't worry, all things will work out fine. :) Thanks! :)

Alcapacien- Stay tuned and you'll see... :)

Hogwarts-fanatic91- Thanks! And I'm glad you liked that PWS thing. :)

CherryChick914- Thanks! :) And it was about time something clicked for him. :)

FoolishlyBraveDarkStar- Thanks! And I agree, Shakespeare rocks! :)

An Anti-Sheep Cheese Muffin- Thanks! :) I was actually pondering whether to use Happy Birthday or Jingle Bells, and I found Jingle Bells more befitting as it is almost Christmas... :)

Brilliant-author16- Thanks! :)

Crimson Girl- Thanks! And well...it was the computer's fault I was so late... :D

Stargirl555- Thanks! :) As for James's position on the team, I read in a Harry Potter website that James plays Chaser. :)

SnoopyViz- Thanks! :)