A/N:This part's a bit longer than the first two,althoughnot by much. I might put another chapter up tonight, but I'm not sure if I will... And many thanks to ebtwisty9 for your review! I'm updating as soon as I can,and I hope it's satisfactory. Enjoy!

Part Two: A Meeting of the Marauders

James, very put out by Lily's blunt refusal, called an emergency meeting of the Marauders in the Gryffindor boys' dormitory.

"Why the hell are we here, Prongs?" Sirius Black asked James. "We could be downstairs, selling our smuggled goods from Zonko's to unsuspecting first and second years."

Maybe we should stop doing that…it's probably one reason Lily thinks I'm so immature. "I'm having a…predicament of sorts," James began. "You see, I—"

"—messed up yet another chance to date Lily Evans," Remus Lupin cut in.

"H-how did you know, Moony?" James asked, rubbing his temples tiredly.

"You're not the only Marauder who talks to her James," Remus said patiently.

"Moony is the only one of us she tolerates," Peter Pettigrew piped up.

"That's probably because he's the only one of us who goes to the library," Sirius mused. "Of course, she mostly goes there to get away from you, Prongs. Hey Moony, do lots of girls hang out in the library?"

Remus was about to respond when James said, "What can I do?"

"Wait, is that James Potter asking for advice on a girl?" Sirius cupped a hand to his ear. "Potter, Gryffindor star Chaser? I never thought I'd see the day…" Sirius teased his friend.

"But this isn't just any girl. This is Lily Evans," James persisted passionately. "I've liked her for ages. And if I don't date her this year, who knows when I'll ever see her again?"

"James," Remus, the most emphatic of the Marauders said seriously, "have you asked her why she keeps on refusing?"

"Yes, actually. I did this morning."

"And? What did she say?" pried Peter excitedly.

"She said something along the lines of 'because you're arrogant and immature,' and I'm not sure of the rest. I was too shocked that she had actually faced me to reply."

"That's definitely a step in the right direction, though, if she faced you. And you can work on your immaturity and arrogance," Remus said hopefully.

"I guess you're right, Moony." James sighed.

"I think you've got the Illness, mate," Sirius said solemnly.

"What's that?"

"Something my Uncle Tonks talks about. It means you're ill for, well, Lil," Sirius expounded, laughing slightly.

"Oh…"

"All right, Prongs," Remus prompted. "Tell us what we need to do."

James was always the mastermind of the Marauders' pranks, so Remus, Sirius, and Peter looked toward him expectantly. He had a strained expression on his face.

"I…Merlin, I don't know."

A/N: There's quite a bit of alliteration in this portion, I've realized…maybe I should try writing poetry…