A/N: OMG HAS IT BEEN FOREVER OR HAS IT BEEN FOREVER!!!! I know I know I know! I'm soooo horrible. I was just about going to let this story go…when I said to myself: No way! I've worked way too hard, and so many people really like it. And so I finished this chapter, which I've really been working on since the last update. I SWEAR! Anyways…I've also made a few slight changes to the plot, check out chapter six, one, and I don't even know…you should probably just reread the whole thing if you haven't checked it out in awhile…I didn't change anything big…just a few inconsistencies and grammatical errors. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chappie!!!

Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah… I don't own any Harry Potter related things…

The train pulled to a screeching halt making a sound similar to that of an angry dragon. As soon as it stopped completely and steam embezzled its engine, students began to exit, quickly creating a large mob of teenagers walking towards the castle while also laughing and catching up with friends they hadn't seen since before the holidays.

            Gwynne watched, silently, realizing when her friends all piled off that train, her life will have changed tremendously yet again. (That's twice in less than four months.) She could almost hear Lily's delighted squeal, and see Jackie's encouraging smile. The boys, she knew, would act almost indifferent, until later when they were all alone, but she could almost be positive she would see a mischievous gleam in James's eye, and a sincere look of approval in Remus's, and, most likely, a rather shocked expression would decorate Peter's. She didn't believe they would ever really know how much they meant to her.

            Sirius stood next to her with his arm casually around her waist as they patiently waited for their friends as the other students began to sift by them. He always did love a good surprise, especially when it was on other people.

            As they expected their five friends all tumbled out of the train with the rest of the students, all together, all laughing at something that must have been hilariously funny because Jackie was turning red and Lily couldn't seem to breathe. James, still laughing, was the first one to catch sight of them, and whether it was the laughter or genuine, a delighted smile formed on his face. Lily turned to see what he was looking at and did indeed admit a pleased squeal. Before long all the others had seen and were hurrying over to them.

            "Ooh! So, so? This is…?" Jackie said when they got in hearing distance. She waved her arms all around them and left her statement open.

            "I think all that need be said is that it is," Gwynne said almost nonchalantly, nevertheless an ecstatic smile was spread over her features causing her whole face to light up.

            "I take it my gift came in…handy?" Lily asked with a wink. A wide grin, even wider than the one he already had, if that's possible, appeared on Sirius's face at that question.

            "Lily, I am entirely indebted to you, so much so, in fact, that I can't find words to describe my pleasure," Sirius said elegantly. The others were, undoubtedly, completely oblivious to what the two were talking about

            "But come on," Gwynne said blushing slightly from mention of Lily's gift, "we've got to get back so you guys can regroup and then go down to dinner."

            "Dinner, yes, I'm starving," James said in an excited manner, pushing past the rest to lead the way to the castle.

!

            "It is so good to be back to Hogwarts," Jackie said after Professor Dumbledore finished his little speech, and everyone began to fill their plates with Hogwarts's delectable entrees.

            "Yes. Home away from home, no?" Remus commented while pouring himself a goblet of pumpkin juice.

            "I can't really say that I missed it," added Sirius grabbing a few rolls to put on his plate.

            "Don't be a smart ass, Padfoot," James replied as he leaned over to get some potatoes.

            "Don't use foul language at the table, Prongs," Sirius whipped back after taking a bite of the previously mentioned rolls.

            "Don't give me a reason to."

            "Don't tell me what to do."

            "Don't bicker, boys," joined Lily in her most matronly tone while taking a swig of her pumpkin juice.

            "Yes ma'am," in unison.

            "If two is company and three is a crowd…then what's four and five?" Jackie suddenly asked. All her friends shook their heads or shrugged their shoulders. "Nine!"

            Silence.

            "Wow, that really wasn't funny," Gwynne said.

            "Don't make fun unless you can do better," Jackie said patronizingly.

            "Now, now, why can't everyone just get along and eat dinner in an orderly manner?" Remus asked with a smile.

            "Because we don't wanna!" Jackie replied, "But anyways, I've got to go. I still have some last minute homework to catch up on."

            "You are so predictable, Jackie," Lily said laughing.

            "Yes, well, I'm sure you've had all yours done since the beginning of the break. Don't be hypocritical, Lily, it isn't becoming. See you guys later."

            The others went back to their miscellaneous conversation while she exited the Great Hall, none aware of the thoughts plaguing her mind.

!

            She needed a place where she could think—think long and hard. After the door of the Great Hall shut behind her, she stood still, not fully sure of where she wanted to go. Finally she decided to head to the girls' secret annex of sorts to try and sort out her dilemma. Winding corridors with high ceilings and passageways she had to crawl through were hardly seen by her eyes as she made her way to the hidden room. It seemed to take mere moments to Jackie, but in truth it took a good twenty minutes to reach the fifth floor's hidden corridor.

            Whispering the password and slipping inside she practically threw herself onto the nearest couch, which was luckily close enough for her to make it.

            She had come here to think about the response to his letter and…the ring. It had shocked her so much when she had opened up the small velvety box on Christmas morning and had seen the beautiful ring shining up at her. It practically screamed of his care and, dare she say it…his love. The stone it held was a beautiful sapphire, a stone that seemed to capture his essence and hers, now that she thought about it, so perfectly. The moment she had seen it, she had known it was an Ameor ring. She had done a report on them in Charms the year before and remembered what one particular book, Magical Love, had said about them.

            Ameor rings are more than just an outward sign of a relationship. The rings are all made with a special charm wrought into the very medal of the band and minerals of the stone; a charm that causes a spiritual and mental connection between the sender and the receiver. Before ever putting on an Ameor ring, the wearer should be aware of all the risks involved. First, the ring will not come off until either of the wearers is dead or until all feelings between them subside. Secondly, the bond created cannot be undone, as the ring cannot be removed; the partners will be able to almost hear what the other is thinking when they are in close proximities. Thirdly, if the ring is put on when there are no true feelings, havoc ensues; cases vary in this area, but almost all end with hospitalization, if not death. However, such cases are a rarity, especially as witches and wizards are now aware of the risk. Before these risks were known many people put on the rings in sympathy for the givers and ended up with them being the ones to be pitied.

            Jackie pulled the velvet box out of her pocket and opened it. Carefully, she pulled the ring out of the case. She wasn't sure if she could take this step…not because she didn't love him.

            "No," she interrupted her thought, "No, I am positive I am in love with him; I am as sure of it as am that Lily is my best friend."

            Then she remembered what he had said in his letter.

            I know this is a big commitment. Huge, in fact…almost as big as marriage, still I don't think it was wrong of me to give it to you. I'm not saying you have to put it on yet. Really, I wouldn't want you to, but I want you to have it…for when you're ready…for when we're both ready.

            She sat up and sighed.

            "I am only afraid to let him know."

!

            Lily hurried to the dorm room from the feast. Ever since dessert she had been feeling a little woozy, so she had excused herself and headed up to the Gryffindor common room. Something was wrong. She felt lightheaded and almost…faint? No, it couldn't be. Lily did not faint.

            Then her head began to pound, and the blood throbbed in her ears. Everything in front of her was going hazy. Jackie's bed was fading in and out of focus. What is going on?

            "There must have been something in my drink…" she mumbled as she fell onto her bed. As soon as her head hit the pillow the world went back; the last thing she remember seeing was an out-of-focus gold and emerald bracelet on her wrist.

            A person stepped out of the shadows as the red-headed girl lost consciousness.

            "Too bad she didn't realize that before she drank it."

!

            Upon their return to the Gryffindor common room, the Marauders had bid adieu to Gwynne and headed to their respective dorm. Not, as one would imagine, to sleep, but to prepare for a fatal event coming up in two weeks time. They did not officially retire until around twelve.

            However, before James was completely swept away into his dreams something terrible gripped his heart. He felt unexplainably scared; cold dread poured through him. Yet, he was safe in his bed…what had he to be afraid of?

            And then the fear stopped, and James began to drift off again…

            He sat straight up. The feeling had come back, and he had suddenly remembered what it meant.

            "Shit. Sirius," he jumped out of bed and over to his friend, "Sirius, get up, get up!"

            "It's not morning yet…" Sirius mumbled turning over.

            "Sirius get up! Lily's in trouble!" James practically yelled.

            "Hmm…" snuggling his head deeper in his pillow.

            "Oh hell," James said to himself and then cupped his hands around his mouth.

 "SIRIUS! SIRIUS! SIRIUS!!!"

            "WHAT??"

            "Finally, now get out of bed. Those girls have finally gone and done what they were planning," James said, hardly waiting for his friend to fully awaken.

            "What?"

            "They've taken Lily."

!

            It was cold and dark, she could tell without even opening her eyes. An evergreen, smoky fragrance filled her nose, and distant warmth licked the left side of her body. Wind whipped at the right side of her face, and the root-woven ground was underneath her. Her eyes opened and all she could see were treetops with a barely visible night sky. Then she heard the voices and saw the fire out of the corner of her eye.

            She attempted to sit up, but found she could not move anything from her neck down. Instead she lifted her head as high as she could and tried to see what was happening around her. It seemed as if this was just the motion the people around the fire were waiting for because one of them began to speak.

            "Lily Evans. It is so nice of you to join us," the voice said sarcastically.

            "Helen? Helen Marion? Is that you? And Narcissa and Katy…are you three insane?! You're going to get expelled for this!" Lily exclaimed. She really couldn't believe that the girls had actually gone through with what they were planning. What exactly had she done to them?

            "Aren't we all? I think it just depends on how you deal with your insanity that makes you sane or not…" Narcissa said slowly, "And this," here she motioned around her, "this is really just an expression of our feelings toward you. At least we aren't keeping our emotions bottled up!"

            "Exactly," Katy piped in.

            "Well…that explains everything," Lily replied cynically. I've got to stall them. How am I ever going to get out of this mess?

            "Really, Lily, this thing is only partly about you," Helen began. "You see, the three of us, while detesting you, also have our gripes about those wonderful prankster friends of yours…the Marauders, if you will. We won't get into the entire story with you, so to put it in a nutshell…we hurt you, it hurts them. Revenge is a sweet thing. But you know, we can't really truly hurt you physically without getting expelled, as you said."

            "So," Narcissa took up the narration, "We came up with another idea. What would be the worst thing for a friend to see their friend go through? Besides death, obviously."

            "And we thought," Katy continued, "Wouldn't it be horrible, if your friend didn't know you? If she didn't remember anything at all about her life? How do you help someone with that?"

            "A perfect solution," Helen said, "we won't get in trouble, because you won't be able to remember what happened…and then the poor Marauders will be so horribly upset! Isn't it wonderful? And you won't have any worries, because you'll be at St. Mungo's suffering form severe memory loss."

            All Lily could do was stare at them in incredulity. What kind of people were they anyways?

            "You can't be serious? I mean, have you even thought about what you're doing? You're ruining lives! This won't go away…it's permanent. And my friends already know you're doing; you could still be expelled," Lily cried.

            "They may know, but do they have solid evidence? No. Do you see them here? Trying to save you? No. They're safe in their beds. Not even dreaming about you," Narcissa pointed out. She's right. How will they know where I am, even if they do realize that I'm gone…?

            "Enough of the talk, let's get this over with," Katy said impatiently. They all three pulled out their wands and stood at her feet. It was then she noticed they hadn't taken her wand from her. If only she could move just a little she'd be able to reach it. She strained as hard as she could to get her fingers to move…just a little…farther…

            Then, ever so slight in the night, she heard a whisper. Wait…that can't be…

            And then she had her wand in her hand.

            "Expelliarmus," only it wasn't Lily's voice that said it.

            James caught their wands while Sirius, Remus, Peter, Jackie, and Gwynne all surrounded the girls and proceeded to lock them in the full-body bind. Lily got to her feet, stretching as she stood; being drugged and then locked in a curse for an hour would make anyone have a cramp or two.

            "I knew that bracelet would come in handy," James said as Lily approached him and the others. Gwynne was just finishing putting a silencing spell on the three attackers.

            The bracelet! Of course, that's how they knew to come…why didn't I remember that?

            "What are we going to do with them?" Peter asked as the seven gathered around.

            "Report them to Dumbledore of course!" Jackie exclaimed, "They kidnapped Lily and were going to do who knows what to her out here in the middle of the Forbidden Forest."

            "Actually," Lily spoke up, "They were going to do a memory swipe…of my entire memory in the hopes that it would make the rest of your lives miserable. Well, mainly you guys," she spoke to the four boys, "They weren't very fond of you."

            "So, they were going after you, to get at us?" Remus asked her. She nodded.

            "That still doesn't answer what we do about it. Should we really take it to Dumbledore?" Sirius asked, "You guys know that might lead to unnecessary questions…like how it was we got out here." He waved the Marauders' Map to emphasize his meaning.

            "He does have a point," Gwynne added looking around at all of them, and then smiling, "Besides, haven't you ever heard the expression: Practice what you preach?"

!

            The next morning three girls woke up not knowing what had happened the night before. They couldn't remember how they had gotten from the Great Hall to the beds. They weren't conscious of it, of course, but they also couldn't remember they had ever known each other or that they extremely disliked a group of boys in their year.

            And even if they didn't realize it…what goes around, comes around.

A/N: Yeah, so please review!! I promise I will do my best to get the next chapter out ASAP, but I don't think I'll have much time to write until at least fall break…but if not then, look out around Christmas break. I am really going to try and work on this fic as much as possible, but once school gets started, I am going to be BUSY. Anyways, reviews make me feel good, and help me remember you people do like this story…so please fill one out for me. Thanks for forever and a day

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