Chapter Thirty Five

There was one word on everyone mind. Exams, just the thought bought study-induced spasms and momentary panic. The night before exams, everyone was sitting in the lounge studying very hard but also nearly asleep. Lily's head was starting to droop onto James's shoulder, more and more frequently. Livvy and Remus were dropping off on one another's shoulders. Poor Lainie, for as soon as she started to doze her really kind boyfriend elbowed her in the ribs and she jerked awake, getting more and more grumpy each time.

"For Gods sake, Sirius, why can't you be kind, look at the rest of them, being kind. Why do I get stuck you." Lainie said, scowling.

"It's just so funny, watching you get woken up." He said, with a can't-help-it grin.

Lainie rolled her eyes. "You loser." She said, hitting him.

"Fine, fine. Come here then." He said, grabbing her by the shoulders and pulling her into him. Lainie attempted to resist him but eventually gave in and flopped down on top of him. she leant back and closed her eyes, just a minute, she thought. He crossed his arms over her and closed his eyes. He absentmindedly fiddled with her hair.

"Sirius," she said, not bothering to open her eyes.

"Yes, darling." He said, dutifully.

"Stop fiddling with my bloody hair." Snickers were heard from the dozing people on the couches beside them.

The next morning, the girls ate breakfast at seven and then had two hours studying before their first exam, which was history of magic. On the other hand, the boys woke at eight thirty and wolfed down breakfast, then arrived at the room with five minutes to spare. They were greeted my three smirking girls, with equally evil grins on their faces.

"Good luck, guys," Livvy said, checking her stuff one last time then turning to walk into the exam, she was at the top of the role, followed by Sirius, then Lily, Remus, James and last Lainie, who took a few deep breaths then followed the rest into the class.

Two and a bit hours later, Lily was perfecting her last essay. She was pretty happy with how it had turned out , she knew most things and was kinda relieved it was over, only six more to go. She looked around the room and saw that all her other friends had finished. James looked over, caught her eye and grinned. She felt herself automatically smile back , James had that effect on her.

"Right," the supervisor said, "Please gather all pieces of paper you have used and fasten them together. Right, Accio exams. Thank you, you may now leave."

They all found each other outside the exam and wandered outside, by the lake, as was their routine since OWLS in fifth year. Oh fifth year, the year when Lily's hate for James was at it's peak. Lainie found it particularly amusing and teased her lightly. Then when Lily decided that since she hated James so much, she would stick up for all he was mean to. Unfortunately when Snape insulted her and called her a mudblood that she realized, like her friends had long before, that, as much as she hated James, she had just better leave him alone and all who he disliked. Who would have thought the boy who terrorized her in first year, teased her in second year, pranked her in fourth year, who she argued with in fifth year would be the person she flirted with in sixth year and dated in seventh year.

They sat down by the lake but no one bothered to talk.

"So, excited bout the ball" Lainie said, stretched out on the grass.

"Yip, got a dress." Lily replied.

"Yeah, me and mum got it. I'll show it to you when it arrives. What about you?" Lainie said.

"Yip. It's blue, well blue green." Livvy said.

"Turquoise," Lily interrupted.

"Yes well. What about you, Lil." Livvy said.

"Um, well, its light pink and it got a puffy skirt. Got a date yet?" Lily said.

"No, but me and Snape were thinking we might give it another go. You know, to see if things work out better and all." Lainie said, with a perfectly serious expression.

"Ha ha very funny," Sirius said dryly.

"Well, seen as I haven't been asked. None of has, "Livvy said in a voice laden with hinting.

"Well, then," James said, "Lily, would you do me the honor of coming to the ball with me."

"Course" Lily said, smiling at him.

"Lily, what happened to girl power. R-E-S-P-E-CT" Livvy said.

"What you want," Lainie began.

"Baby, I got it." Livvy filled in.

"What you need," Lainie sang, very loudly.

"You know I got it." Lily joined in.

"All I'm asking you, is for a little respect. Just a little bit, oh, just a little bit." They all sang, very loudly, while the people gave them odd looks.

"And that was the three dying cats singing, otherwise known as Lily, Olivia and Ophelia." Remus said. Livvy leaned across and hit him.

"Come on Lainie," Sirius said, getting up and attempting to pull Lainie up. "Lets go walking."

Lainie allowed herself and he put his arm around her as they strolled along, round the edge of the lake. They walked in silence then they sat down.

"So" she said, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Come to the ball with me?" he said, looking into her eyes earnestly.

"Course," she said, finding herself smiling.

He leaned over and kissed her, she would have smiled to herself, could it get any better, if her mouth wasn't involved in other things.

Over the other side of the school, Lily and James were walking round, hand in hand, by the green houses.

"I can't believe that this is my last ball. And I can't really believe that I'm going with you." Lily said.

"Thanks, Lily, I feel really special now." James said, shoving her gently.

"No, well, it's just that I kinda despised you, for a while. Well, about four years in fact."

"Why," James protested.

"Well, you were a lot more arrogant, and basically an egotistical prat. And the whole 'miss Evans swish and flick.' Thing. and the fact that you and your friends thought you were so hot. And how you teased me, and how you nearly killed my cat. And ..." Lily said.

"Okay, okay" James said, raising his hands in mock defeat. "So, I was a slight prat. But I'm better now, right."

"Yes, darling. Otherwise I wouldn't go out with you." Lily said, flattening his hair fondly. James smiled and leaned over to kiss her. Lily smiled and deepened the kiss. Just as she was about to close her eyes, she caught sight of her watch.

"Shit," she said, pulling away. "We've got ten minutes before our next exam." And with that she grabbed James's hand and ran towards the castle.

They arrived puffing and panting at the classroom and ran into line, ignoring the people giggling at them.

"Good luck" Lainie whispered over his shoulder.

"Thanks, god I hope I remember stuff. It is Charms isn't it?" he whispered.

"Yip, now remember, swish and flick."

"Okay." James said, taking a few good breaths. "Good luck yourself, Lain."

Then he wandered into the class and Lainie followed, smiling.