Hey everyone,

Sorry it's taken me so long to update. I was on vacation in Maine, and then school started again. Plus I've had to do applications for high schools. So, unfortunately, I haven't had any time to post. By the way, please review more. I only have 3, and I can't improve if I don't get reviews. Thanks for your patience.

hladds

Chapter 3

Morgan and Carrie's heads shot up, as a red blur slammed the door open, raced onto her bed, and buried her head under her pillow. They looked at each other and mouthed, James.

" Er, Lily? Are you okay?" Morgan asked, smiling slightly at her friend's antics. The only answer she got was a muffled wail. Carrie and Morgan turned as they heard a laugh in the doorway.

" She's fine, just embarrassed." Belle grinned.

" What happened this time?"

" I made Lils go ask the Marauders for help in her project. Literally too. I was dragging her."

" I thought you were going to?"

" And save her from the humiliation. Merlin no!"

Lily sat up on her bed.

"I hate you," she told Belle.

The other three only laughed harder, as Lily glowered. Carrie grinned at Belle.

" I'm sure the Marauders got a kick out of Lily's situation!"

" Let's just say that when she asked, James burst out laughing."

" They did accept, right?" Belle nodded.

" Remus did, at least. The other two were too busy laughing at her to reply." Lily scowled.

" If you weren't making me be civil to them, I would have hexed them on the spot." Belle rolled her eyes.

" Lils, I had to hold you back before they were being sent to the hospital wing."

" Ha, ha. Very funny." Lily fumed at the Marauders.

" You better get yourself together Lily. You still have to ask Dan Diggory to help." Lily groaned and fell back onto her bed.

" And how am I supposed to do that? I don't even know the guy!"

" Make conversation with him. Wait till the moment is right, and don't just spring it on him," Morgan advised.

" Just sway your hips a little, bat your eyelashes, and pretend to be stupid," Belle joked. " It works when I need someone to do my homework for me."

" Can you imagine?" Carrie laughed, " Lils you are the worst flirt I know."

Morgan added, "You are nice, though. And if he's anything like Amos asking him will be a breeze."

James folded his hands behind his head, a silly grin on his face. Remus gave his friend an amused look.

"I can't believe it Moony! She's finally coming around. She actually asked ME to help. And I thought she hates me, but obviously not because she wouldn't have asked me if she did! Even if Belle had to drag Lily because she was so embarrassed. She probably just likes…. That's it! She must like me! She's just pretending to hate me because I've been pretending to hate her! Well, sort of, since.." Remus cut James off.

" Prongs, you're rambling." James grinned sheepishly at him.

" And," Sirius put in from across the room, " It's very unlikely that Lily likes you." James opened his mouth to protest, but Remus cut him off again.

"He's right, James. I know Lily, and lets just say that you're not her type."

" That's not true!"

" James, you act like an ass around her."

" Do not!"

" Do too." Sirius replied sitting down next to Remus.

" How so?"

" For one, you're always ruffling your hair." Remus pointed out.

" That's just a nervous habit." Sirius and Remus rolled their eyes.

" Let me finish. You're always bragging, showing off, hexing people, and acting full of yourself. Not to mention teasing and tormenting her mercilessly."

" I just want her to notice me. It works for all the other girls."

" Prongs! Lily isn't like all of the other girls. And haven't you ever thought of just being yourself."

" I dunno…"

" You're a great guy; fun, smart, funny, and really loyal. You just insist on putting up this stupid façade, that doesn't work anyway! Start showing the person that we see in you."

" And how do I do that?"

" It's simple. Stop pranking her. Stop asking her out. Stop hexing people. Talk to her about things other than Quidditch and yourself. And above all," Sirius and Remus exchanged a look, then said together, "Stop hooking up with other girls!"

" But…"

" You want her to like you, right?" James nodded, "There's nothing Lily hates more than a player."

" Except you," Sirius put in.

" Oh thanks Padfoot. That really helps," James said sarcastically.

"It's true." Remus rolled his eyes, and continued.

" All I can say is be her friend. And it would help if you worked hard on the investigation. Prove that you care about something more than Quidditch and girls."

James shrugged. " I was going to anyway."

" Good. I've got a feeling that we're going to have a lot of work to do."

" Yeah, we will," Sirius said, "But it's worth it. If Hogwarts closes I don't know where I'll go. There's no way that I'm going back to that house!"

" You can always stay with me." Sirius looked uncomfortable.

" Man, I wish this wasn't happening. I hate having to cash in on your parents hospitality."

" It doesn't matter, Padfoot. We're family, you guys. And as family, we stick together." They smiled at each other and shared a quick hug. James ruined the moment, though, by clearing his throat uncomfortably.

" So, uh, back to Lily."

" I can'tdo this!" Lily said for the millionth time. She tried to turn away but Morgan grabbed her arm. Belle and Carrie rolled their eyes. They were in the Library, trying to convince Lily to approach Dan Diggory.

" Geez, Lils. It's really not that difficult." Carrie said exasperated.

" Yes it is! I'm not used to walking up to people who don't even know who I am, and starting a conversation. I'm sorry, but I just can't!"

" Lils you've got to stop being so shy! It's about time that you made more friends. This is a brilliant opportunity!"

" But what if he doesn't like me, or thinks I'm annoying or something!"

"Lily, everyone likes you! And anyhow, this isn't for you. Do it for the investigation."

" It's a perfect time. He's sitting alone at a table in the Library. Just do it."

"Fine." Belle handed Lily a charms book.

" Here. Pretend you're doing your charms homework."

" Okay. I can do this." Lily took a deep breath. " Here I go." Morgan, Belle, and Carrie ducked behind a bookshelf to watch. Lily walked hesitantly towards Dan's table.

" Hi. Can I sit here?" Lily asked shyly. Dan looked up at her. Lily gulped. With light brown hair, and shocking

Blue-gray eyes, he was picture perfect. And when his hair fell over his eyes, Lily could have swooned.

" Sure." Dan quickly shoved his books out of the way, so that she could sit down.

" Lily Evans," Lily told him with a small smile.

"Yeah, I know. I'm Dan Diggory." He returned the smile. Even his teeth were gorgeous: strait and pearly white.

" I'm a Griffindor," Lily told him.

" I guessed that."

" Oh, right." Lily flushed, and started working.

" What is she doing!" Carrie hissed peering through a shelf. " She's clamming up again! Why does she have to be so damn shy!" The three groaned.

"Someone has to go help her before it gets worse!"

" But who?" Morgan and Carrie both turned and looked at Belle.

" Me?' They both nodded.

" I don't want to!" Carrie glared at Belle.

" But?"

" She's my best friend and she needs my help." Belle said in a mocking voice. She hesitated but Morgan and Carrie shoved her out from behind the bookshelf. Belle grumbled to herself, then put on a falsely bright smile.

" Hey Lils! I've been looking everywhere for you!" She plopped down in the seat next to Lily, and smiled at Dan.

" Hey Belle," he said. Lily looked between the two.

" Do you guys know each other?" Dan shrugged.

" So, what are you working on Dan?" Belle asked.

" Charms," he grimaced. "It's my worst subject."

" Do you need any help? Because Lils, here, is a Charms whiz." Dan grinned at Lily.

" I'd really like that." Lily scooted over and looked at Dan's paper.

" So what are you doing?" Dan started to explain. Belle pretended to gasp when she looked at her watch.

" I've got to go. I'm meeting Carrie and Morgan in 5 minutes. See you later Lils, Dan." Neither looked up. Belle smiled triumphantly, and sauntered behind the bookshelf.

" Piece of Cake," She told Carrie and Morgan, who rolled their eyes. " Let's go."

Lily sat down in between Carrie and Belle on the couch, with a huge grin on her face. Belle, Morgan, and Carrie had headed up to the common room to wait for Lily. Much to their surprise, it took nearly 3 hours for her to come back.

" So, how'd it go?" Morgan asked.

" Amazing," Lily said with a sigh. " He's so easy to talk to!" Belle cleared her throat. "Well after you helped, he was. We ended up getting kicked out of the Library for talking, and then we went down by the lake and…"

" That's nice, Lils," Belle interrupted, " But I think what Morgan was trying to ask, was if he accepted."

"Oh. He did. He also said that he has a few friends who'd want to help. I can't believe that he's a Slytherin!"

" And a damn good looking one too!" The four girls giggled.

" Not to mention nice, funny, and smart. He's perfect!"

" Sounds like Lily has a crush!"

Lily blushed. " Do not. Anyway, right now I have no time for a boyfriend. All that matters is keeping Hogwarts from closing. Everything else can wait."

" Even the auror club? It starts tomorrow night."

" I might go once or twice. If I have time."

" Don't stress out about this Lil," Belle said wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "If worst comes to worst, no matter how much you hate it, you can always stay with me."

" Us too." Morgan put in.

" Thanks. But that's not going to happen. I'm not giving up. Ever."

"We're not either. We swear."