The first Hogsmead visit was here, and Lily met Zach in Madame Puddifoot's. They chose this spot because 1, it is less crowded than The Three Broomsticks, and 2, it was the place for couples, even thought they weren't officially a couple...yet.

"Lily, can I ask you something?" said Zach after they ordered.

"Sure, go ahead."

"Well, um...I don't know if you know this, but there's going to be a costume ball on Halloween."

"Yes..." Lily had just remembered Dumbledore announcing a ball on Halloween in order to prepare for the ball with the French students.

"Well I was wondering if, if, you know, you would want to go...with me." He struggled to get the few words out.

Lily knew this was coming, but she didn't expect him to ask this soon. After all, they don't know each other all that well. But since she didn't have a date yet, she said "Sure why not. I'd love to."

Zach had been looking nervous, but was very glad she said yes. "Well great." The drinks had just arrived and he said "A toast, to the most beautiful girl in the 7th year."

Just then, the Marauders walked by the window, and James saw Lily and Zachary sitting together, looking very cozy. This triggered a nerve, and he quickly went into The Three Broomsticks.

"Four butterbeers please." James said to the waiter, and then to the group "I don't know what she sees in him."

"Who Lily?" Sirius asked.

"Yes Lily." James answered.

"Well...he's not you." Remus joked.

"Whats that suppose to mean?"

Sirius jumped in again. "He just means that you and Lily, well you weren't exactly friends before were you?"

"That's changed." James said. "She said so herself that we're friends."

"When?" The two asked.

"Well...I don't remember, maybe she did, maybe she didn't, but she has no reason to hate me anymore does she?"

"No, of course not." Sirius said.

James wanted to quickly change the subject, so he said. "Who are you all planning to take?"

"I haven't decided." Sirius said.

"I think I'll ask Ruth." Remus said.

"Ruth. Ruth White? Lily's friend?" James asked.

"She's our friend too you know." Remus replied.

"I think I'll ask her sister, Jia." Peter said.

"The fifth year?" Sirius asked.

"What's wrong with that?" Peter asked him.

"Nothing. Honestly. At least she'll be your height." Sirius laughed, and James and Remus joined in. Peter, however, did not find this so funny.

"Girls, they're complicated things." James said, shaking his head.

"What about you Prongs?" Sirius said. "You haven't told us who you're going to take yet."

"I haven't decided yet either." He answered.

"Well great, if neither of us finds a date, then we'll be the pathetic losers that don't have dates." Sirius laughed.

"Yup, like you always were." Remus joked.

"Oh I'm sure you'll find dates." Peter jumped in. "I've heard girls whispering about you two. Ask any girl, and they'll say yes, even if they already have dates."

"Ah...it's good to be together again, the marauders." James said as their butterbeers arrived. "Cheers. To the four pathetic losers."

"Cheers" The other three said.

No amount of fun with his friends could make up for seeing Lily with anyone other than himself, but he wasn't about to let his friends know that.