Marauders' Match-Making Inc.

A quick note about other fics: To all the readers who's fics I read—I'm going to keep reading them soon…I just haven't had time to get around to reading and reviewing sets aside a chunk of time for that I'll be reading and reviewing soon!

Is in shock Having just re-read the reviews for the last chapter that's the only way I can feel. I'm shocked in a good way though. One of the reviews that really caught my eye was one by A Pinch of Salt. Thanks for being so critical (not that I'm telling all my reviewers to totally trash my story or something, but I'm not going to object to seeing you address valid concerns about the plot and characterization). I didn't realize that James was so unlovable…I was re-reading some of what I wrote of him and yeah, he really is pretty horrible at times. That's totally not how I meant for him to come across. I guess I'll have to try and make him sweeter and more concerned about other people…because I see him as a sweet guy that comes across a little selfish and condescending at times, usually when he's feeling desperate (which is his main emotion in this fic so fair). Also, the basis of the plot is a little thin, I admit…but thought it would make for an interesting story that goes against the grain of all other L/J stories…I can't stand using the same plot over and over again for a Lily and James story. It gets to be cliché after a little while, don't you think? So all in all, after that spiel and explanation, thanks for all the reviews!

Also, a little secret sharing: I'm also rooting for Sirius and Lily at this point. I think they have an awesome chemistry and they seem to have that great chemistry in all stories I read…

-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 Twelve- Collecting All Thoughts of You (And Throwing Them Away)

"You're what?" James questioned slowly.

It was quite obvious that James was genuinely shocked. His jaw dropped in astonishment and the scone that had been near his lips was now located on the carpeted floor.

"I'm talking Lily to her sister's wedding, okay?" Sirius said, a crease of worry appearing on his forehead.

Remus and Peter exchanged half-smiles as they waited for James's post-shock reaction.

But they were sorely interrupted by a knock at Sirius's door.

"I'll just…go get that," Sirius mumbled in relief, pointing to the door. Then he left the room in a flash, even dropping the tie from his rental suit on the sofa.

The other two present in the room watched as James sunk into an armchair in disbelief.

"James," Peter asked nervously, waving one hand in front of his friend's vacant face, "You okay?"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Wormtail," Remus said and grabbed Peter's hand from its place before James's eyes, which were currently staring into space. He looked lonely and despondent to the other two. "He might see your hand in front of him and randomly decide to lash out at it. And we wouldn't want anyone to get hurt here. Too much blood, and explaining for Sirius."

Then they spotted James mumbling under his breath.

"Stop everything and look yonder," Remus whispered, trying to make the situation lighter, "The quiet one speaks."

"I can't believe she's going out with…and he accepted…my best friend…," James mumbled.

Remus felt a sympathy he had only felt once before for James. His friend was usually so strong…he never showed his emotions so easily. Then again, he had never completely recovered when Lily broke it off with him.

He found himself putting a hand on James's shoulder to comfort him. "Listen, I'm sure it's just a favor Sirius is doing for her…Anyway…Have you even tried to tell her how—"

But once again, he was interrupted in his words by Sirius and the familiar blonde who had entered the room.

"Sirius, I have to say," Marcia stated, glancing at his traditional black suit, "You do clean up quite nicely."

"Why thank you, milady," he said with a grin and twirled so she could see the whole package, "I'm—"

At that point, the pair stopped in their tracks on the hard-wood floor as they noticed James with his head in his hands, sitting in a chair and Remus with his hand on James's shoulder. Peter looked up from James to see the two, also.

"It's not…," Remus started, fluttered and removed his hand, "…What you think…James is upset."

"We believe you, Moony," Sirius said and sat down next to James in another chair, propping his feet up on the coffee table. "I'm sorry mate, really I am. But it's not like I'm going to make a move on Lils or end up in love with her. I'm just taking her to a wedding. Nothing's going to happen. Not even pranks, because she already said no to those."

Marcia appeared to be confused. "So that's why James is upset? Because you're going to a wedding with Lily?"

"It's not just that," James looked up at his friends and mumbled sadly, "Actually, it's not really that at all. It just that...she's never going to talk to me again. Which I know, I'm stupid and I brought it on myself but what else can I say? It sucks and I caused it."

"I'll get her to talk to you," Marcia said fervently and started to leave, "I can talk her into—"

"No." James croaked and scrambled to his feet, "Really…that's nice of you, but…I just want to get over her. It's like…," he paused for a second; trying to put the feelings he desperately wanted them to understand into words. "She's been plaguing my mind for years. I know she doesn't feel the same and I'm not about to force her or anything…I just…I want to be through with her, with everything that comes with it, too."

Marcia sighed, while everyone else looked completely alarmed…like James had grown fifteen heads and had just said he wanted to be a butterfly.

"If you say so," she murmured and from her own clear blue eyes into his hazel ones, "You're sure?"

"What other choice do I have?"

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"Thank you so much for coming," Petunia said with a smile plastered mechanically on her face as she welcomed the guests into the dining hall. Her grandmother and new husband stood nearby greeting others. Her eyes stopped on a certain red-head making her way through the doors with a fairly handsome young man. "Lily. How wonderful it is to see you."

Then, when she was sure her grandmother was busy talking to someone else, she spoke freely.

"Freak," she said in a hoarse whisper, glaring at her younger sister, "Thank you so much for coming."

Once they had gotten past the raging Petunia, Sirius took her aside.

"Why did she invite you if she doesn't even like you?"

Lily laughed, but then quickly banished it away. "Because my grandmother insisted. My grandmother also insisted that I stay at this thing for more than 2 hours."

"Oh," Sirius said, finally understanding why Lily disliked her sister so much and always talked about how horrible she was, back when they had been in Hogwarts.

"Oh is right…," she grinned, "But once 2 hours and 1 minute are up, we are out of here. That okay?"

She led him to their table where the place cards were spelled out. Sitting next to Vernon, she thought as she glanced around at the other names on the cards at each seat. How utterly perfect.

Lily knew she should have brought some ear plugs in her purse.

"Fine with me," Sirius replied, and held out her chair for her before sitting down himself.

Thirty-seven Minutes Later...

Lily glanced around at all the people on the dance floor and then back at the number of people currently sitting at their tables. The amount of people sitting down had greatly lowered since Sirius had gotten some punch and then hit the dance floor with her real grandmother.

Even Petunia had stopped shooting her dirty looks whenever Lily looked at her. It was like she had become possessed with some kind of goodness.

It was creepy.

Lily put a stop to her thoughts briefly and when to get some of that punch people had been raving about. When she reached the bowl and got a cup of it, something just didn't fit. It was the smell or the taste of it…something was off…

She walked back to the table and placed her glass on the table quickly. She knew what it was now, as she watched Vernon, the groom, do the "hustle."

"Sirius," she said loudly and cut in to his dance with an older brunette by grabbing his arm and hauling him away, "Excuse us."

"What on earth is wrong, Miss Lily?" He asked, trying to look innocent.

"Sirius," she started, looking completely furious, "You didn't!"

Once again he appeared to be playing dumb.

"Didn't what?"

She led him to their table and forced him to sit down next to her. Then she addressed him again.

"Are you thick? You turned all the punch into wine!"

"Not all of it," he responded immediately with a mischievous grin playing on his face. "Only half of it."

"Half, all...It doesn't matter. Petunia's going to have my head on a platter for ruining her wedding!"

She looked around miserably and placed her hands in her head out of anguish. How familiar this position looked to Sirius from earlier that day…But he quickly shook off the feelings of guilt.

Instead he glanced around at the people dancing on the floor. Everyone looked so happy and they wouldn't remember this all in the morning, so how was that so bad…Maybe…? He spotted Lily's sister quickly, in the middle of a polka line. She looked happy. Drunk, but happy. And who shouldn't have the pleasure of being drunk on their wedding day? He had to stifle a laugh as he watched the polka line quickly deteriorate into a country line dance group.

"Actually, I don't think she's going to do anything to you."

"Oh god," she groaned, and aimed a blind punch at Sirius with her head still in one hand, "Please don't tell me she's drunk."

"Fine. I won't," Sirius said as he grinned and ducked. "But I wouldn't suggest you open your eyes either."

Lily, without delay, opened them and looked up. Indeed it was her sister, line dancing at her own wedding.

"Sirius. I'm going to kill you," she mumbled with annoyance. But then a light went off in her mind. "But as long as no one is sober enough to notice us, why don't we get out of here?"

She grabbed his wrist and walked with him out of the magnificent hall.

"What about the older ladies waiting for me to come back?" he questioned with a wicked smile as he followed her out.

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Meanwhile…

James sat in his house all alone.

Of course, Marcia, Remus and Peter had all offered to stay with him for a bit to make sure he would be okay, but he declined.

Right now he just really needed to be able to forget about Lily. But it was not all that easy. They had shared so much, had so much history… How could he forget someone like her? It just didn't seem at all possible…

Then he remembered. There was a way to forget her; of course it was only temporary. Now just to find it. He was sure he would find it in the attic. He had used it for stuff for the Order before, so it wasn't like he did not know how to use it.

As soon as he found that Pensieve that had once been his father's, he used magic to bring it down the flights of stairs. He didn't feel much like lugging it down the numerous staircases.

Subsequently, he pulled the memories out one by one, and tried to forget.

Forget Lily.

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A QUICK LITTLE POLL:

I thought of a way to drag out this story so that I could have many more chapters left (like six or so, I think).
I'm not sure if I want to write it that way though, since it's not originally how I intended to have it go. Plus it would involve bringing in another character (probably another love-interest for either Lily or James...though I won't say which).
Should I do it?
I'm not really sure if that's what I want to write...also it would make things more complicated.

If I decide not to do that, though, the story will have about 3-4 chapters left (I figured out another way to drag it out, though this one I KNOW I'm going to use).

So voice out on what you think. I'd really like to hear what you have to say.