Disclaimer- O magic genie can it be mine? Damn he said no.

Authoress' Note- Aren't I the most loveliest updater? I feel so proud of myself though I confess that I may have written it more for my own anxiousness and curiosity than you readers. Yes, I don't have this prewritten (I used to but it died out a long time ago and I kind of dislike the idea of greedily holding chapters that you can't read yet) and I also don't really have much of the plot planned out (Gasp!). My fics are starting to turn whimsical because I don't have the time to iron out every detail on two fics (I do have a basic outline for Seven Years of Marauding though it IS just in my head) because I'm still trying frantically to get more of my book manuscript written because my editor (unofficial of course, a.k.a My lovely friend who I owe so much to) is catching up to me in sections that she's read over! I apologize for the chapter's shortness, but I really really have to get my math homework and my review responses done! Send some lovely reviews! E.D.J.

Thanks for the reviews!

TheLovelyLadyLily- I"m glad you liked the chapter! Was this a soon enough update for you? B.T.W. I had a most lovely and entertaining review written for the first chapter of your fic, but I think it disappeared while I was writing it or someone closed it, I can't quite remember, but it IS something to mourn. I'll send you some new reviews as soon as I get the chance!

abi freeman- I'll answer your questions from the review I sent you once you post your next chapter. (Yes I will TRY to read it, but I truly can't promise anything!) I'm glad you like the story though!

blinkgurl017- Let's see chapter 15... Monica got angry at Lily and Hestia for not liking Gavin... The Marauders realized they need a girl's perspective if they are ever going to be able to get Sirius/Monica to happen... and Emmeline became an "honorary Marauder"! Yes in my opinion, Gavin is the character you think is funny, but you hate him to pieces because he's in the way.

MagicFairyDuster- Glad you liked the chapter! Yes Remus...sarcastic sweetheart...-drools- Oops sorry, went off into Harry Potter dream world for a second!

brooklyngirl- Merlin you like Monty Python AND Tamora Pierce? AND apparently Harry Potter? I must confess I only recently became obsessed with both of them (my friend La Conquistadora has seen the movies and read most of the books before me). I've only seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail (which I only just saw in August) but I think I can quote it almost nearly as well as my conquering friend (with due credits to her of course for making many of the quotes stick in my head). And yes since about last year, I've read the entire Song of the Lioness and the Immortals Quartet, the first two Protector of the Small (I really really really want to get to the library for the last two and isn't Neal DREAMY? His most entertaining line is clearly, "You are a bloody-minded savage. I hope you are kidnapped by centaurs." from the Page book. I have no idea why, but that line struck me as the most hilarious thing ever!) Yes, your friends are seriously seriously deprived of both of these. Have you read the Trickster's Choice and Trickster's Queen books too about Alanna's daughter Aly? MOST good books. And it's so interesting that you chose those particular Monty Python quotes for your review! La Conquistadora and I were writing quotes on our hands today at a soccer game (hey soccer's boring) and when I read your review I was like, "Oh my gosh! I have 'Go away before I taunt you a second time.' written on my hand right now!" Coincidence? Sadly no hamsters and elderberries, but I also have "I blow my nose at you, you silly English kinnigets (how the heck do you spell that?)!" Conquistadora I remember had the "Go and boil your bottoms" one and I can't remember if she had something else! Long review, but sooooo worth it!


Ch. 17- Steps Forward?

"Excellent," said Sirius, rubbing his hands together gleefully. "It's perfect."

Emmeline gave him a long look down her nose, looking not unlike Remus, before snatching the sheet of parchment from Sirius' hands. She spread it across the table and Emmeline, Remus, James, and Peter leaned forward to examine it.

"Padfoot," said James slowly, after a long moment of staring at the parchment. "This isn't a plan to help you with Longbottom. It's a drawing of a hippocampus."

"A very bad one at that," added Peter. "See you got the tail all wrong and don't even get me started on the mane! It's..."

He trailed off as Sirius shot him a withering look.

"Anyway..." said Remus, clearing his throat. "Does anyone actually have any ideas?"

Only Emmeline raised her hand.

Remus grinned at her. "As always the brunt of the work falls on our poor swotty souls as we wait in the midst of..."

"Don't go all philosophical on us, Moony," moaned James, covering his ears. "I doubt even Vance wants to hear you prattle on about only Merlin knows what, eh Vance?" He nudged Emmeline and grinned.

Remus grimaced.

All that came from Emmeline was a muttering of "typical," and a very cold glare in James' direction.

"Excuse me?" asked James, taken aback.

"I said it was 'typical'," repeated Emmeline, looking livid. "Typical that the fact that Remus was quoting me from a few days ago hasn't gotten through your thick skull yet. Typical that you tune me out the second I begin speaking about something meaningful, but you're still are interested in Sirius' damn hippocampus drawing!" She snatched the picture from James' hands and passed it to Remus who pocketed it.

James gaped and managed to stutter out, "But... I didn't mean... You don't think I'd..." He buried his head in his hands, muffling a slight groan.

"Blimey, you got him into that indignant stuttering stage," observed Sirius with a chuckle. "Usually his mum's the only one to get Jamesie so... distraught."

"Why aren't you a prefect?" asked Peter, wide-eyed. "Anyone who can tell off James Potter and his 'band of miscreants' would have McGonagall's vote."

Emmeline shrugged, grinning slightly. "I think Lily makes up for morethan enough of you fours' well deserved telling-offs." She glanced at James who was still muttering into his hands. She sighed. "Sirius, please calm him down. Those curses he's mumbling are getting most annoying."

"Yes dearest," said Sirius obediently, going over to James and shaking him a number times until he shut up.

"Mission accomplished," said Sirius, winking at Emmeline.

Both she and Remus rolled their eyes.

"Are these two made for each other or what?" said Sirius, slinging an arm around Emmeline and Remus who both moaned audibly. "Identical eye-rolls!" Sirius pretended to wipe away a tear. "What could make them more perfect?"

"Maybe both of us kicking your arse?" hissed Remus, his face red.

"Point taken," said Sirius agreeably, releasing Emmeline and Remus from the death grip he had on their shoulders.

"Back to my idea," said Emmeline, patches of pink showing on her cheeks. She threw a sideways glance at Remus and was delighted to see he was making an obscene gesture at Sirius who simply rolled his eyes and made an equally obscene, if not more so, gesture back. "Sirius!" she snapped. "Focus! Do you want your damn woman's perspective or not?" Sirius instantly stopped making faces at Remus and hung his head shamefully. "Now, here's what we have to do..."

Lily and Hestia were playing an intense game of wizards' chess in Hestia's room when a loud banging began on the door and a frantic cry of, "Em? EM?"

Hestia stopped her rook mid-move and went to answer it. It was Monica in a frenzied state of disarray, wearing three-days-old clothes and her hair was limp and unkempt. "Mon, what are you...?" began Hestia, but Monica just pushed past her with a hurried apology.

"Em?" she said again, glancing nervously around the room. "Where's Emmeline!"

"Speaking to us then?" asked Hestia dryly.

Monica didn't answer, but began tearing around, searching the room and even taking the liberty of checking under the bed. "Where is she?" Monica repeated again, her eyes wide with terror.

"She said she fancied a walk," said Lily, propping herself up on her elbows to squint at Monica. "Merlin, Mon. You look awful."

"Yeah sure, I'd love to, Lils," said Monica distractedly, running a nervous hand through her hair. "Did...did Em say when she'd be back? I'm having a bit of breakdown."

"Why can't you talk to us?" demanded Hestia, hands on her hips.

"I just can't!" said Monica, angry tears glittering on her cheeks. "I'll...I'll just wait for her to get back."

"Oh no you don't!" said Lily dangerously. "You're not leaving until you tell us exactly what's going on."

She and Hestia slowly advanced on Monica, who looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Monica bolted out the door and her two friends darted after her. The three girls thundered down the stairs. Monica quickly took a hard left and dashed down the hallway leading to the housekeeper's rooms. She panted heavily as she ran and, to her horror, it was a dead end. Lily and Hestia quickly caught up to her and each snatched up one of her arms. The two of them had to drag her into the living room.

"Damn the person who made up the law against underage wizardry," muttered Hestia, gritting her teeth. "Magic would have made that so much easier."

Lily nodded tiredly as they settled Monica on the sofa. Monica only let out a soft whimper and tears continued to roll down her cheeks.

"Monica Almira Longbottom," said Hestia dangerously. "If you don't tell us what's wrong this instant, we'll be forced to..." She glanced at Lily for help.

"Get Black to come pester you," supplied Lily.

Monica let out an indignant squeak, but remained closemouthed.

"We will... tell your mum and dad that you blew up your mum's favorite hat!" said Hestia.

Monica raised an eyebrow slightly and merely shook her head.

"The Amos Diggory thing?" asked Hestia, glancing at Lily.

Monica just shook her head.

Several hours later, they were still pleading with Monica.

"We'll tell your mum and dad, you failed that one History of Magic test in..." Lily stopped and threw up her hands. "What's the point?"

"I hate your little 'determined streak'," grumbled Hestia. "What if we burn all of your dress robes?"

Monica shook her head and sighed audibly.

Just then, the front door opened and Emmeline quietly slipped inside. When she noticed her friends staring at her, she winced guilty. "I..." she thought carefully, not wanting to reveal that she'd been scheming with the Marauders. "Met a bloke on the beach? Yes, I met a bloke on the beach!" Emmeline voice became noticeably high-pitched. "Yes, we walked and talked, it was wonderful until I saw the time. How was your night?"

"Monica won't tell us why she's in near hysterics!" whined Hestia. "We've been trying to get it out of her for hours."

Emmeline slowly walked into the room, surveying Monica's pale, tear-streaked face and disorderly hair and clothes. "What happened?" she asked slowly.

"I REALIZED I FANCIED SIRIUS BLACK!" shrieked Monica. Her hands instantly flew over her mouth, but the damage was already done.

"WHAT!" shrieked Hestia and Lily, horrified.

"Merlin," said Emmeline simply, a slow smile spreading across her face. "I knew it."

Monica whirled on her three friends, her face a blotchy shade of purple. "If you tell him anything I swear I'll..." She trailed off.

"Burn all your dress robes?" suggested Hestia with a small smile.

All Monica managed was a terrific moan before she slumped down on the sofa, head in her hands.

Emmeline sat down next to her and put an arm around her comfortingly. "Mon, I'm sure we'll be able to figure something out. We'll help you tell him..."

"No," said Monica suddenly.

"What?" asked her friends.

"He...he just wants me for...for a trophy girl and I swore...I swore I'd never be that to anyone," Monica managed, trembling slightly. She stood up, swaying slightly. "I can't do anything about it unless..." She gulped. "Unless I can tell he wants something more."

So close, thought Emmeline, moaning internally. I guess we'll need my plan after all.