Yeah, that chapter was all corny. LoL.

Thanks for the reviews! Sorry for leaving you with another cliff hanger. Heh. And I'm sorry I didn't get those replies out to my readers! But right now I'm in the middle of writing a project on How Particle Size Effects Reaction Rates. The joys of chemistry, eh?

So yeah. I'm quite surprised I'm posting at all, actually. Well . . . nah, I'm not, 'cause I'm just stalling for time. Stupid project.

So! I'm off. Thanks again for reviewing and. . . do it again?

Sirius' POV

"Lily invited Tess?" I asked as I joined Peter, who was leaning against a wall looking bored.

From there we had the perfect view of Lily and her friends. . . and Lily looked good.

Wait, no, I'm not thinking that. I'm not allowed to think that.

I'm thinking. . . ew, ugh, Lily looks repulsive.

"No," Peter muttered, becoming extremely interested in the floor tiles.

I studied him carefully, trying the best I could not to laugh.

"Y. . . you invited her?" I asked, raising my eyebrows ever so slightly.

"Yeah," he said, shrugging his shoulders and trying to look casual.

The thing was, his face had gone beet red. Poor bloke.

"Oh, okay. Yeah, I guess Tess is cute and everything. . ." I said enthusiastically, looking over to where Lily, Helen and Tess were stood. Tess was beaming. Lily looked. . . well, mad. And Helen looked surprised.

Interesting.

"So. . . Tess likes you then?"

"Dunno," Wormtail shrugged, downing a cup of juice in one shot. "I just wrote her a letter and she turned up."

"You wrote her a letter? See, I've never tried that tactic. Well, at least she knows how you feel," I said, clapping him on the back.

"Not really," he admitted. "I only asked her to come. . . She might have thought it was Lily, actually."

"What? Why on earth would she think that?"

"Because I didn't sign my name, duh."

Lily's POV

When Tess waltzed off in search off James, I very nearly burst into tears.

"Aw Lils, you don't know-"

"I do know!" I cried, as she hugged me tightly in her arms. "Everything goes wrong for me!"

She laughed quietly and continued to hug me. "It's 'cause you're such a knock out. Every lad fancies you, obviously."

I suddenly pulled away from her arms.

"No," I said firmly. "That's it. I've had it with boys."

"Yeah?" she asked. She looked as if she were trying as hard as she could not to laugh.

Oh. Well I'm glad she found it so amusing.

"It's not funny!"

"I'm sorry Lils, it's just. . . I've heard you say that so many times before."

"Yeah, well this time I mean it. I'm seventeen now, right? New start, everything," I said, taking a deep breath. "So excuse me whilst I go find Logan. . ."

"Logan? Why? Lil, if you don't like Logan then it's not fair to-"

"Yes, exactly my point. So I've got to go. . . finish with him. Which is a shame, since I do like him. . ." I murmured, already walking off towards the kitchen.

I greeted a few people who wished me a happy birthday, then glared when I saw James and Tess laughing together.

James' POV

"Invited you?" I repeated blankly. "Erm. . ."

I didn't want to hurt Lily's friend's feelings or anything but. . . I sure as hell didn't invite Tess.

"Tess, no offense or anything, but I didn't invite you. . ." I said slowly. Then I hurriedly added, "But it's great that you're here. Lily's probably thrilled, right?"

Tess' face fell. "Oh," she mumbled, blushing. Then she started laughing. "Okay, now I feel really stupid."

I laughed uneasily. What else was I supposed to do?

"Don't worry about it," I said, throwing her a grin. "Like I said, Lily's really happy you're here and it's her party, right?"

"Right. . ."

Then I noticed the certain red head watching us. "Lily!" I yelled, totally abandoning Tess.

It was about time we had that little talk.

The thing was, I liked her so much. I just. . . really, really like her.

And I want nothing more than a repeat of what happened on the train.

But it's a little hard knowing that the devoted boyfriend was waiting back at Hogwarts.

Actually, not even Hogwarts. He'd heard about the party and turned up.

Which I can't really blame him for. . . everyone else was here, so he wasn't exactly going to not come, was he?

So we had to get things sorted.

But to my surprise, Lily turned and her heel and stormed off, her hair bouncing on her shoulders.

"Hey, uh, Lils!"

Suddenly she turned and glared.

Damn it, girls are weird.

"Don't 'Lils' me," she snapped.

See. Point proven.

"Um. . . okay. . .?"

"Look, why don't you just go back to Tess?" she demanded. "I don't want to talk to you right now."

"No, Lily I really have to talk to you. Now. See, Logan is here and-"

Uh-oh. That obviously wasn't the right thing to say.

Well, at least the music drowned out most of her effing and blinding.

"So just get. Lost," she muttered bitterly, storming off once again.

"Wow. . ." someone murmured behind me.

I turned to find Lorredana looking pretty shocked. "And here was me coming to tell you how much of a shock it was to out that Peter Pettigrew had invited that Tess girl. I get this little show instead. What did you do to make her so angry?"

"I didn't do anything!" I cried in frustration. "That I know of, anyway."

Lorredana looked at me thoughtfully. "Okay. . ." she murmured. "Want me to go see what's up with her? There has to be a reason she's so upset with you."

Lily's POV

I stormed away from James and made my way into the kitchen, where I couldn't spot Logan anyway.

Not that it mattered.

I fell into a chair and put my head into my hands, just trying to block everyone out.

I could feel a headache coming on.

But hey. . . at least James knew where he stood.

Sighing, I took my head out of my hands and sat up straight in my seat, then groaned as I saw someone strolling towards me.

This night couldn't get any better.

"Lily," Lorredana said, sounding in awe as she came to a stop in front of my chair.

I glared.

"Um, is something wrong? 'Cause James-"

"Don't even talk about that creep," I growled.

She blinked in surprise. "Er. . . okay. Are you alright?"

Oh please. Like she cared.

"No. No, actually I'm not alright. I was stupid enough to let myself fall for James Potter believe it or not, just as I fell for Sirius Black," I bit at her.

I didn't know why I was telling her that. Of course it would be public news within minutes.

But for some reason. . . I couldn't care less.

"You like James?" Lorredana grinned. See? She's smug about too, stupid cow. Grinning over my unhappiness. "That's so sweet! But I don't see the problem. You like him. . . He likes you. . ." she trailed off and looked at me quizzically.

Again, I glared. "No," I said flatly. "He likes Tess. Not me, Tess."

She suddenly frowned. "Tess? No he doesn't."

"Yes he does! He invited her, and sent her this. . . this letter that-"

"What?" she laughed slightly. "No, Peter sent the letter. He's the one who likes your friend Tess."

What? Well that's. . . what?

I raised my eyebrows, my anger draining out of me. "Peter? And. . . Tess?"

"Yeah," she laughed. "Wait, you thought James liked Tess? Lily! James is totally head over heels for you!"

I stared at her, completely shocked. "Really?" I asked timidly.

"Yes!"

"Oh." I stared at my hands briefly before moaning and letting my head fall into my hands once again. "And I've just had a right go at him. Ugh, he's going to think I'm. . . Oh God, I don't believe this."

"He hates me," I sulked.

God, I'm sulking at my seventeenth birthday party.

That's about as mature as you get, I think.

"He doesn't hate you," Lorredana said, smiling. "I'll go talk to him. You go talk to Logan."

"Okay. . ." I replied slowly, standing up. "And Lorredana," I added, as she began to walk away. "Thanks. You know, I would have probably never talked to James again if you hadn't have told me it was Peter who sent the letter. Which would have been pretty uncomfortable since I'm staying with him for the rest of the holidays."

"I know, can you believe Peter - You're staying at his house for the whole holiday?" she cried. Then she closed her eyes and held up a hand, shaking her head. "Never mind. I'll be left talking to you all night, and I've gotta go. Anyway. You. Go. Logan. Now."

"Okay, okay."

And I went.

I found him with his friends, who were playing dares or something. Most of them involved the alcohol Sirius had helpfully yet slightly suspiciously provided, but hey, I'm getting off track.

As I had nothing planned out in my head, I sadly ended up using some of those dreaded lines. (But at least I refrained from 'It's not you, it's me')

But he seemed to take it pretty well.

And as I walked away from him, I felt a little better.

Once I'd explained to Tess - Peter. I can't get over that. Peter. Nope, no, I'm not going to laugh. That would be cruel - then hopefully things will fine and dandy.

"Hey!" Helen greeted me breathlessly, her face flushed from dancing and a grin on her face.

Dancing.

Oh, I wanna dance.

But, such a shame, I have to trail around and try to sort out my love life.

"I was just coming to find you!" Helen went on. "You'll never guess what. . . It wasn't James who sent the letter to Tess. It was-!"

"Peter. Yeah, I know," I smiled.

"Oh. Oh well. So things are okay between you and James?"

"Ugh. Who knows? But anyway, are you having a good time?"

"Yep! But people want to see the birthday girl. So c'mon," she ordered, grabbing my wrist and leading me through the room.

Suddenly I spotted Lorredana and James talking. I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at them, making Helen look at me quizzically.

Then Lorredana grinned triumphantly and started walking away.

"Helen, I'll be right back," I assured her, breaking out of her grip and heading after my older, wiser, new best friend.

I chased after her (and my feet were really starting to hurt. . . stupid heels. . . why did I pick fashion over function?) as fast as I could. . . Which wasn't very fast.

"Lorredana!" I yelled, as she was just about to step into the inside pool area.

She turned to see who was calling her then grinned when she saw me.

"All sorted out?" I asked hopefully.

"Yep."

"Oh, thank you so much. I owe you one," I said, truly grinning for what was probably the first time that evening. "So. . . what did you say to him?"

"Oh," she smiled proudly. "I explained briefly about teenage girls and their hormones."

"Gee. Thanks Lorredana."

"What?" she giggled. "It worked, didn't it?"

"Well. . . did it?" I asked, totally bewildered.

"Yes. It did," she grinned. "So go on. Kiss and make up. But remember, I get to be bridesmaid at the wedding."

Wedding? Yeah, well. . . we'll see if we're even going out first.

"Sure thing," I said, smiling.

I went off to find my friends after a few minutes, but James seemed to have disappeared.

Oh, but I did get my presents.

Not off everyone at the entire party of course. . . but I got my fair share.

I've got one thing to say.

Barbie bubble bath off Sirius.

I know he ripped my heart out and stamped all over it, leaving me unable to trust another boy again (ah, close enough anyway) but. . . yeah, he still makes me laugh.

And the way the little hoop on the peg game on the front of the tub (you know the game? You press the little buttons and the air in the water pushes the teeny tiny hoops onto the teeny tiny pegs?) kept him amused made me laugh even more.

James' POV

Well.

That night was. . . eventful.

I didn't see Lily again after she threw a fit at me, but Lorredana claimed it was something to do with hormones and time of the months, or whatever.

Yeah, I didn't want to hear much more after that.

And here I was at 6 o'clock in the morning in my garden, lying on the grass by the pool and staring at the sunrise.

Knowing very well that my mother was watching me from the kitchen, wondering what I was thinking about and why the hell I was up so early.

And I didn't know myself, so there was no chance of her guessing.

I just wish. . . I dunno. . . That things were clearer between me and Lily. . .

I like her so much.

But maybe she just doesn't like that we're in different years?

Then again, it never bothered her when she was with Sirius.

Oh God. Maybe she still liked Sirius?

"Hey you," someone murmured sleepily, kicking me gently in the side.

I threw a hand over my eyes to shield the from the sun and glanced up.

Speak of the devil.

"Didn't know that you even realized there was a 6 am to the day," Lily smiled slightly, as she sat down next to me.

"Hmmm. . ." I rolled over onto my stomach so I could look at her properly. "You're obviously forgetting my oh-so-wonderful quidditch schedule, which has me working all hours."

"Ah," Lily grinned. Then she lowered her eyes and picked up a flower, twirling the stem between her fingers. "So. . ." she said slowly. "I broke up with Logan."

Sirius' POV

It was the morning routine again.

Fall out of bed. Take a quick glance at hair in mirror. Notice James isn't in bed.

Drag self downstairs. Go into kitchen.

"Hey Mrs. P." Nod at smile she gives me. Go to fridge. Take long drink of milk/orange juice.

I frowned when I reached the table, as I realized James wasn't there. My routine! Ruined!

"Sirius. . ." Mrs. P. said as she glanced towards the window. I followed her gaze and found Lily lying on the grass, and James sat backwards on a garden chair.

Suddenly Lily laughed, jumped up and ran.

I dunno what she was laughing about, but James immediately chased her and it didn't take long for him to grab her around the waist and fling her into the pool.

And I could hear her freaking screaming through the walls.

"Hmm?" I murmured, tearing my eyes away from the two lovebirds.

Lily had dragged James into the pool.

Good on her.

Oh wonderful, she's getting out of the pool. She's wet. Her clothes are clinging to her.

. . . So that was his intentions of the pool thing . . .

"Would you be able to let me know what's going on with my son's life?" she smirked.

"You mean your son's love life, or life in general?"

"Well-"

"Because life in general includes us Marauders, so I'm afraid that information is classified."

She rolled her eyes and took a sip of her coffee. "Alright. . . In other words. . . Who's this Lily?"

I grinned to myself.

You gotta love Mrs. P.

"Lily?" I repeated innocently. "We-ell. . . she's my ex, for a start."

I expected something dramatic to happen, like for her to splutter on her coffee and her jaw to drop. But it didn't.

She raised her eyebrows slightly.

"Oh?"

"Hmm. Then that prat of a son of yours decided he was head over heels for her-"

A smiled crept onto her face.

"-And," I sighed heroically. "I stepped aside."

"Aww. That's extremely sweet of you. But. . . um. . . why, exactly? I know you and James wouldn't let anything come between you, but why was it you who gave up if you already had Lily?"

"Because. . . I dunno. James was really serious about her."

"Was?"

"Is. Same thing. But then he decided he was shy-"

"James? Shy?" she snorted.

"Tell me about it! And wouldn't say anything to Lily. . . Even though they got really close. . . And I was determined to get them together, since I broke up with her for him and everything. . . But then she started seeing someone else-"

I was interrupted when the kitchen door burst open, and James walked, shivering, into the kitchen.

He was absolutely soaked to the skin.

"Wet. . ." he muttered, his teeth chattering slightly, throwing a glance over his shoulder at Lily, who was following him. "Cold. . . Water. . . Freezing . .. Going to change. . ."

He walked out of the room, and Lily smiled after him, picking up her wand (which I hadn't noticed, was laying on the tabletop) and murmuring something, then an instant later was completely dry.

Once again she smiled affectionately at James's retreating back.

"For a guy who's supposed to be at the top of his year, he's not very smart, is he?"

James' POV

When Lily had raced upstairs to get Helen up, we Marauders took to the pool.

And after a couple of hours of. . . well, not much. . . my mum came out with a magazine and lay on a sun lounger.

I knew what she was doing.

I could tell by the way she was trying to hide a smile and not reading the dumb magazine.

Why must she always be around?

"So. . ." she said slowly, trying to sound casual and off-hand.

Stupid woman.

"Sirius was just in the middle of giving me a detailed past of Lily Evans when. . ."

I turned to Padfoot and glared. He smiled sweetly.

". . . you burst in. So go on. Tell me why those two girls are upstairs shrieking and squealing now."

Remus snickered and swam up beside me, resting his arms on the concrete around the pool edge.

"Girls," he muttered, rolling his eyes. "They can pass out from excitement over the most stupid things."

My mum laughed, but pretended to frown. "Oh, don't be cruel! It's sweet. I remember when my friends and I were like that." Then she gave a mock, far-off look. "In fact. . . aw. . . I remember the first time I went out with this boy who-"

Okay, she's gone too far.

"Mother," I whined, burying my head into my hands, while my friends all laughed.

Yeah. Well, they would laugh.

"Why do have the need to constantly embarrass me?"

"I'm not embarrassing you," she giggled. "I just came out here to tell you that I think you and Lily look extremely cute together."

"Gee. Thanks for the blessing. Right, bye."

"Oh, and that I've decided. I want grandkids. Soon."

Oh, I hate her.

"Go away!"