"Potter is going to die. And this time I really mean it." Lily growled to her best friend Jon as she marched over to where the Marauders were standing. 'EVANS, I LOVE YOU– JAMES' was emblazoned in bright pink above them, contrasting with the dark back of the night sky.

"So, you think she'll like it?" Lily could hear James distinctly asking.

Sirius Black shrugged. "Dunno. We have to wait till morning, mate."

Peter Pettrigrew caught sight of the angry Lily and turned white. "I wouldn't be too sure about that if I were you."

"What the-" James turned around as Lily and Jon reached them. Catching himself, he performed a mock bow. "And what do you want, my cherryblossom?" he asked, grinning at her.

Take a breath. Lily warned herself. Count to ten. You don't want it to end up the way it did last time. "I- want to you to- take that stupid thing down this instant!" She yelled.

"You mean you don't like it?" James pretended to look hurt.

"No, I love it, its like my birthday come early." She replied sarcastically.

Jon leaned over to Lily, "Don't make a big deal. Just let it go." as Remus Lupin did the same for James. Both ignored their friends.

James swept out an arm of welcome. "I'm so very glad. My colleagues and I took especial care in perfecting it."

Lily gritted her teeth. "Then you won't mind if I make it disappear!" She waved her wand at it and recited and incantation she'd learned in Advanced Magical Spells and Their Use In the Modern-Day Witch or Wizard's Life. The title was nowhere near as long as the spells recorded inside.

However complicatedit was, the spell didn't work. Lily tried another. It didn't work. She turned on the Marauders. "Why won't it- it won't- I can't- GET THAT MESSAGE THE !#$ OFF THE SKIES, POTTER, OR I SWEAR I'LL HEX YOU WITHIN AND INCH OF YOUR LIFE!" James raised his eyebrow as he fiddled with his wand. The remaining three hid smirks behind their hands.

"I don't duel with girls." He replied cooly.

Lily got herself together. "Coward."

"You shouldn't have said that, Evans." James stepped forward menacingly, wand out.

"What are you doing, Potter? Trying to win an award for best drama?"

"No. I'm in a wizard's duel." Without warning, he pointed his wand at her. "Tantellegra!" Sirius grabbed Jon.

"Don't interfere."

Lily's face flushed as she began to do a sort of exaggerated tap-dance. "Expelliarmus!"

James' wand flew out of his hand, landing in a bush. He ran to retrieve it, giving Lily enough time to perform the reversing spell. As he was coming back, wand-hand outstretched, Lily called out yet another incantation. "Funuculus!" James was covered with fungi.

"Eugenious!" James roared. Lily found she couldn't see. Stumbling, she performed the counter-curse as James yelled "Scourgify!" She got up and pointed her wand at James, but found he was running towards her. "Extren-" James crashed into her, and forced her down to the ground.

"No- fair." She managed to get out, gasping. "It's a wizard's duel. No – physical contact."

"Not my problem.' He informed her, looking slightly out of breath.

"But-" Lily gasped. Professor Dumbledore was standing behind them, beaming absentmindedly down at them.

"Really, Miss Evans, I don't know what took a hold of you. James Potter of all people? I always thought you and Mr. Carmichael would do well together."

The six were sitting in Dumbledore's office, gazing nervously at the elderly man. Seeing his implication, all three mentioned burst out in protest.

"We're just friends… we are sir…"

"Evans? And me? As if! I mean, she's hot and all, but-"

"It wasn't my fault that James spontaneously decided to fling himself on top of me. I've better ways to spend my evenings, thank-"

"Then what, Miss Evans, may I ask was he doing on top of you?" Dumbledore inquired, appearing not the least bit interested.

All five heads turned to Lily, who blushed beet red. "Well.. you see sir… James and I had… a disagreement… about the message… and… we had a duel… and James fought illegally… the muggle way… and… it won't ever happen again. Terribly sorry, sir."

"I should hope not." Sighing, Dumbledore got up and walked to his window, and stared outside at the lettering. "Everyone but Miss Evans and Mr. Potter. Out."

As soon as everyone had left he turned and smiled genuinely at the pair. "I'm going to place a charm on you."

James spoke. "Err… sir… what?"

"Happened to me once. Dear old Bella Lingstrom. Wonder where she is now." The Headmaster stared wistfully at the broom closet, as if remembering some bygone time and place. Suddenly enough to startle Lily and James, he snapped out of it. "Well, well, that's that. Reinci!"

They felt a slight tickle on their lips, as if a miniscule breeze had just wafted over it. Looking at Dumbledore in question, they both started to ask him if they were dismissed.

He smiled fondly at his tow most promising pupils. "You may go now, I believe. Although, not in separate directions." Laughing heartily at some unknown joke, he opened the door for them. They could still hear their headmaster's laugh as they prceded down the corridor toward the staircases.