Marauders' Match-making Inc.

Hey again, it's me.

I'm just looking over reviews I got for the last chapter. What a response! Wow…I'm amazed that so many people enjoy this story. I'm just…in shock, so to speak. LoL.

I just re-edited this; by the way…Sorry if there's still tons of errors in this. I did type it at midnight…

I'll just keep this short for once by saying, thanks for reading this and sharing your opinions and comments with me. Enjoy Chapter Nine!

-Kait

Disclaimer: The plot of this story is based on the ABC Family movie, "See Jane Date." The characters are property of J.K. Rowling. The only thing that belongs to me, are the changes I made to the plot I borrowed, and the new characters that you don't know from the Harry Potter books. Is that alright with you then?

Chapter Nine- Wishing Life Had a Rewind Button

For some reason, Lily never understood why fidgeting with your napkin was always a must when you felt nervous. She was doing just that now as she waited patiently for Benjy Fenwick to show up. She kept willing her hands to lie flat on the table, but she couldn't help feeling restless.

As she sat anxiously about, on the other side of town (4 ½ hours earlier), the Marauders were brainstorming….

"What are we going to do?" James asked, feeling almost desperate and shifted in his seat uncomfortably. They had been at this for hours, and they only had 5 hours to go until Lily's date. If no one came up with a plan soon, Lily could be going down the aisle with this guy.

"I haven't any ideas, Prongs," Sirius shrugged from his chair at the table.

Remus also looked uncharacteristically puzzled. He had no idea how to trick Lily into doing anything, let alone dislike a guy she was already "falling" for.

"If only Peter were here," James said, looking forlornly at the door in the front hall. "He'd be able to help us."

"I'm sure we can come up with something without him," Remus grinned sarcastically as he went on, "We've done things like this without him before."

"True," Sirius replied with a quick pause, "Any ideas yet?"

"Give me a chance to think, would you?" James said taking a swig of his drink on the table.

Remus took to chewing the end of his quill that he was using to list down their ideas. So far they had three ideas that were practically destined to fail. Great start, he thought.

"I'm bored," Sirius stated as his friends looked back blankly and obviously deep in thought, "I'm turning on the radio…if anyone cares."

The sound of the radio was a distant murmur to Remus and James's ears.

"And we're coming to you live with Zelda Witchcraft the hottest artist in wizard music. Now tell us Zelda you write a lot of songs about moments in your life, and other people's lives. Your latest song is about embarrassing moments. Can you tell us your most embarrassing moment?"

"Sure, if I can think of one," Zelda replied perkily to the radio announcer, "There has just been so many…Hmmm…Well….Probably the most embarrassing is the time when my grandmum showed up at one of my dates. She followed us around, taking pictures and whatnot. Needless to say, the boy I went out with never called me again."

"Oh, well, that definitely sound song-worthy," the announcer agreed.

"Oy, Prongs!" Sirius yelled pointing excitedly at the radio, "Prongs!"

James just looked completely annoyed as Sirius jumped around the room. In the moments where James was ignoring Sirius, Remus said, "Hey, James…I've got it! The girl on the radio just said…"

"Sure, steal my thunder, why don't you?" Sirius whined.

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When Benjy arrived at the restaurant, Lily couldn't have been happier. He looked positively handsome in his blue suede jacket and jeans. They were muggle clothes, but looked surprisingly good on him, none the less.

"Hey Lily," he said with a smile as he kissed her cheek and seated himself. "How have you been since last I saw you?"

"Smashing," she replied merrily, but felt corny in saying it anyway. "And how about you?"

"I've been fine," he said with a dramatic sigh, "I've just been incredibly busy with…work. Especially since Voldemort has been gaining support around the country. The Magical Law Enforcement squad has been completely swapped lately."

"I know that, Benjy. I'm a hit witch!"

He gave her a knowing smile and leaned in closer.

"I knew you were, I just—forgot. My memory is horrible lately."

Lily giggled and twisted the table cloth nervously, "Maybe that's because someone hit you with a memory charm."

"I wouldn't put it past a death eater these days."

And with that, he subtly took her hand in his and placed them in the middle of the table. Then he handed her a menu to glance at, "You'll probably want to order soon."

Oh my GOSH, Lily thought, He's so perfect!

How can he be so perfect?

It's impossible, that's been clinically proven—

And yet, I'm falling for him so fast…Is it even probable to begin to like someone so much so quickly? Sure, I've known him as an acquaintance for a while…but… I just don't know…

For some reason, she felt the sudden urge to pull her hand from his and dash out of the place.

Then she'd find someone to talk to…like Marcia, Remus or even James…who now that she thought about it, she had not talked to them in a while…him or Marcia…

She could recall nights where she could sit around with both or either of them for hours.

Lily was quickly snapped out of her trance as Benjy called her.

"Lily, Lily…Are you ready to order?"

"What—Oh, yeah. I'll have the—" she glanced briefly at her menu, "—The chicken marsala."

"And for the sir?" The waiter prompted politely, taking Lily's menu lightly from her grasp.

"I will have the filet minion," Benjy replied, almost regally, "Rare, with a hint of lemon."

"Thank you, sir, madam," the man said, and took away the menus.

Lily felt bewildered for a split second.

"Did he forget to ask for drinks?"

"No," Benjy grinned but then his smile began to falter, "I got them for us…if that's alright with you."

"It's fine," Lily answered.

She certainly didn't want to make a big commotion about drinks. They weren't such a huge deal. As long as it was cold and a liquid, it would work.

So, she chatted on with him, when across the floor there was a plan affecting her that was about to go into action.

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"Sirius, are you sure you know what you're doing?"

The question came from Remus, who held the plans he had drawn up in his hands. As long Sirius didn't attract too much action to himself, this thing would go off okay.

"Yeah. I'm not that clueless. I go in, embarrass Lily, and come back out. I get it," was the unconcerned replied accompanied by a yawn.

"Sure you do. Now just remember it," Remus said, and then turned to James before he noticed Sirius's scowl. "Does he look recognizable?"

"As my gran, yes. As Sirius, hell no." James said with a grin. He gazed at Sirius' curly white mane of hair, entirely purple outfit, which consisted of purple slacks, a floral print blouse, and a purple blazer. To top it off, he donned overly-done make-up that gave him a very pale complexion, a huge black purse, and a hair wrap that was tied under his chin. James laughed at the total product and was a bit more at ease since he didn't have to plan this one. "Unless Padfoot dresses up like my gran often."

"Shove it, James," Sirius retorted, crossing his arms over his broad chest and pouting.

"Hey, I hate to break up the promising cat fight, three-year olds, but we've got a date to spoil."

Sorry Lils, Remus added silently, But you definitely deserve better.

"Right you are, Moony. Let's get this show on the road, granny," he agreed, and gave Sirius a shove in Lily's direction.

Unfortunately, this led Sirius to attract unwanted attention to himself as he tripped his way down the stairs.

"Graceful," Remus sighed, looking around at the occupants of the restaurant.

"Sure, no one cares if Sirius gets hurt," Sirius mumbled, "Let's just let Sirius fall off a bridge while we're at it. No one will miss him."

James let out a small laugh, but then received a stern look from Remus for it.

"Alright, alright," he hung his head in shame, "I'll see if he's okay."

Sirius tried to get up with as much composure as possible—

"Padfoot!" a hushed voice called from his purse, "Sirius!"

As he reached his normal height and was clearly balanced on his feet, he dipped his hand into is purse, unearthing a mirror. Sirius attempted to make it appear as though he was merely checking his make-up.

"James?" he hissed, "What is it?"

"We wanted to know if you're okay."

Sirius made a face. "Sure, I'm just dandy. I fall down steps everyday. And man, these shoes—bloody hell. How do women walk in these?"

"Not now," James' reflection whispered. "Just go over to Lily's table and do what you have to do."

"Which is—?"

James glared at him through the mirror. He was overly annoyed with his best friend's antics at the moment.

"Don't bother," Sirius said, speaking softly. "I know them."

"You'd better," was the reply Sirius heard from Remus.

Then, not wasting any time, he put the mirror back in its place, patted his blazer for wrinkles, and staggered to Lily and Benjy's table.

Lily, who was in deep conversation, never saw it coming.

"Hello darling," Sirius squeaked out in his "old lady" imitation that sounded a lot like a mouse. "How's my little Lily-Lula been?"

"Lily? Who's…this?" Benjy asked bemused.

"I'd like to know that as well," Lily replied, clearly just as confused as he was about the situation.

Lily-Lula?

Only my grandma used to call me that…But she's been gone for years.

"I'm your Gran Sally," Sirius croaked sweetly, "Don't you remember me?"

"No," Lily said, crossing her arms in frustration, "You must have the wrong Lily."

"No…I don't think so, honey. You're my Lily and I just know it."

To Sirius, this seemed just like the perfect time to whip out the camera, so he did. In doing so, there were blinding flashes every which way as he snapped as many pictures as he could of the couple.

And any pictures of people around them. You know, just for kicks.

"I just couldn't resist taking a few for the old family scrapbook," he said, smiling cheerfully. "We love to see a young man who our Lily could just spend the rest of her life with."

Lily appeared to be in shock, as she sat there, dazed.

Either that or Sirius's nutty camera skills blinded her.

Benjy just seemed horrified with the whole fiasco. "Spend the rest of her…her life with?" he managed to sputter.

If there was one thing that scared him out of his cotton socks (A/N- That line's for you two, Lauren and Kaitlyn), is was the thought of marriage and commitment. How could you be bound and gagged to one person for the rest of your life?

"Yes, the rest of her life," Sirius sighed with mock happiness. "Doesn't it just sound darling?"

That was when Lily caught a glimpse of it. The mirror that was showing halfway out of Sirius' purse. It kept flashing in the lights as Sirius moved from side to side with his camera.

She knew that mirror! How many times had she seen it when they were at Hogwarts? Now it was making its reappearance. It belonged to—

"Hey, Lily…This has been nice and all but I've got to go. I'm pretty sure they need me at the Ministry. I'll talk to you," Benjy said, grabbing his coat and fleeing the scene. "Later."

"No! Benjy wait a second!"

Sirius stuffed the away with the mirror, which he observed was out of place. He stealthily made an effort to sneak away unnoticed by Lily.

Lily spun around quickly, just in time to see him leaving. "You. Halt."

Sirius stopped in his tracks and turned to face her slowly. What was she going to do? How badly was she going to kill him?

"You're not going anywhere, Sirius," she then grabbed him by the arm and led him swiftly towards the exits. "Where are the other three prats?"

"Oh, are you escorting me out? Why thank you…" he said, pouring on the charm…

"Where are they?" she demanded again, speaking in a low, angry voice that was very uncharacteristic of her nature. Sirius was really, truly scared of her and what she would do next that at moment.

"Two prats, actually. There." He pointed to a place by the stairs, behind a marble column and the rose bushes.

She quickly located them, rounded them all up and led them outside to the muggle parking lot.

"How could you do this to me?" she yelled, letting her anger out at last. She stomped her foot loudly, "You knew how important his date was to me! And yet you still took it upon yourselves to ruin it. Thanks. Thanks a lot, boys."

"But Lily," James spoke up, "Benjy Fenwick is a git. He's ruthless when it comes to women."

"I would have found that out on my own, you know. Eventually," she huffed, looking up at the stars in the dark evening sky, "You never should have intervened…So, who planned this, anyway?"

"Well…" Remus began, feeling guilty and showing it on his face.

"I did it," James said quickly, taking the fall for him. It was sort of true after all. He hadn't done all the planning for this date, but for the others he had done most of it. "It was my idea in the first place. I'm sorry. Really, I am."

He just hoped she wouldn't hate him. He would never be able to bare that.

"I don't believe it," Lily murmured, stunned. "I'm amazed at how little you care. Thank you, James. Thanks for completely ruining tonight. This goes for you two, too."

Suddenly, James felt utterly terrible. How could he have made her so angry and upset? And he said he loved her…

"Lily, I—"

"Just save it, James," she interrupted him harshly.

Subsequently, just as he reached out to take her hand, she apparated, leaving them all behind (A/N- Didn't mean to make it seem like I copied off of you, Lauren. This just worked best.).

"I'm sorry, Prongs," Sirius murmured, putting a hand on his shoulder.

James had never felt so lost.