A/N: hey all! Once again, thanks to everyone for the lovely reviews! They were all long and I have to say, the various threats were hilarious! I guess this must be what JK must have been feeling when people were pressuring for the fifth book, hey? And no, I won't lengthen my chapters. If I did, it would take twice as long for me to write them, and that's boring. Also, I like them this long, so this long they shall stay!

Also, I'm not going to change Sirius' personality, or James'. I like them like this. I'm sick of the goofy Sirius, and the annoying James, so I decided to try for more original marauders for a change. Don't worry, they're still pranksters. And James is only nervous around Lily.

Luvsirius: hello fellow Indian! Hope you like the fic!

Pheonixring5: thanks for the lovely review! I'll try to read those fics when I have time! I'm a Ron and Hermione shipper, but Hermione/Draco can be pretty cute, particularly if you like love/hate relationships!

Dobbyfan18: hello, fellow Muslim! Don't worry, I'll definitely finish this fic!

Fates fallen angel: email me!!! Its zoyabean22 at hotmail etc. did that show up? I think you're becoming my favorite reviewer! And too late, you're already my jester. That review was huge!! But I think you're a bit of a CHEATER! You just cut a chunk out of my fic as part of your review! And I don't live in Fiji; I live in the land of Aus. Why am I telling you this when you told me you're a psychotic stalker?! Any why are you going on about wal-marts? When did I mention wal-marts? ARE YOU INSANE???? OR AM I??? Anyway, the fic…

Get ready for it, coz guess who's coming in now? That's right, Remus Lupin!

Chapter Five

New Arrivals

"Where did Lily go?" Sirius asked, walking into the kitchen while munching on an apple.

James looked up from his potions essay draft to shrug.

"I think she and mum went to go muggle shopping," he said. Putting down his pen, he stood up and stretched. "Hey, have you heard from Moony lately?"

"Nup. Last I heard he was going with Peter to the snows."

"Well, I had an owl from Peter yesterday, and he didn't mention him at all," James said, his brow furrowing with concern.

"Chill. He'll turn up," Sirius said nonchalantly, as if Remus was a book James had misplaced.

James knew though, that under his tough exterior, Sirius was just as worried as he was. Remus and Sirius had a special bond that James could never quite understand. Even though he was wild and rough around everyone else, and definitely closest to James, Sirius was strangely calm and gentle when in the presence of their quiet friend. It was as if Remus soothed him.

"Yeah," James said. "Want to go for a game of Quidditch?"

"Yeah. But you know I'll beat you!" Sirius grinned, walking out of the room to grab his broom.

"You wish!"

Lily fingered the fabric of a pair of checked pants wistfully. They were lovely. She hadn't bought new clothes for what seemed like a century. Her parents had left her some money, but not enough that she could squander it.

"Do you like those?" Elena asked, smiling at her.

"They are nice, aren't they?" Lily said, turning away form the lure of the garment.

They stood in a huge Muggle department store. Manikins stood in various places, showing off the most elaborate clothing, and huge, bright coloured signs told of the best bargains available. Elena was surprisingly comfortable in muggle stores, considering she was a witch. She had told Lily that it was because her closest friend was a muggle-born, and she had been shopping many times with her.

"You shall have them, if you like them," Elena told her, and she picked the pants of the rack.

"B-But- they're so expensive, I couldn't," Lily began, but Elena simply raised a finger to her lips and bestowed her with another smile.

Lily watched her go towards the cashier with mixed feelings. She was as nice as her own mother had been. For a moment, Lily stood, lost in thought.

Suddenly, someone tapped her on the shoulder. Startled, she whirled around to stare into a pair of twinkling grey eyes.

"Hello, red head. Isn't it a nice day?" The tall boy said, his eyes twinkling merrily. His fair hair fell across his forehead and his lean figure swayed as he bent to regard her.

"Remus Lupin?" Lily uttered weakly.

"Got it in one!"

James and Sirius were, there was no other word for it, mooching. James lounged languidly on the couch, his caramel eyes lowered broodingly, while his friend methodically demolished the Potter's food supply.

"These are good," Sirius mumbled around a mouthful of chips. "Want some?"

James rolled his eyes in disgust.

"Do you ever stop eating?" he asked.

"Huh?"

"Never mind," James muttered peevishly. He was bored and wanted Lily to come back. She had promised him a game of chess, and he wanted it now- why did she have to go shopping? What was there to shop for anyway? Were all women insane or something?

Just then, heard the sound of a key in the front door, and then the banging of the door, as it swung open. They were back.

With a leap, James ran out into the hall to accost Lily. For some reason, he enjoyed having her around. Her merry eyes and twinkling laughter caused his heart to leap around strangely. He wasn't all together sure it was healthy, but he was, in a sense, addicted to it.

"Hey," he said, as he entered the hall. And then he froze. Standing in between his mother and Lily, was Remus Lupin.

"Hey to you too," the fair-haired boy grinned. "Aren't you gonna say something?"

"Merlin! Where have you been?!" James erupted, coming forward to hug his friend (very unmanly behavior, but we'll forgive him just this once!).

"Oh, here and there," Remus said airily.

"Remus?" Sirius stood there, grinning widely.

Remus turned to face him with a gentle smile.

"Missed me?" he asked lightly.

"You bet I did! Where have you been?"

As Lily watched the three friends reunite she felt a little excluded. Would things change now, once again? She loved being with the boys. They were hilarious company and kept her mood cheerful all the time. Would the arrival of their friend taint that?

But as James turned to smile at her, her heart lifted. If things did change, it would only be for the better.

A/N: this was crap! I'm sorry! It took forever to get out as well, so sorry again! Please review for me, and I'll try to update again as soon as possible. My excuse is that I've had a lot of school work to do, and I'm also writing a short novel to enter into a competition, so I've been really busy.

Review!!!

Jaizar.