Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize from any Harry Potter book. If you don't recognize it: Hey it's mine!

*claps happily* Out in 2 weeks! Oh I'm happy – even with 3 of those 14 days spent at a cottage! Right then – if you read my little thing in my bio – then you'd know that I now have a job that makes me work long and hard, so the two week rule will be back in place and hopefully well obeyed.

So sorry if I don't – for full explanation, read my blurty.

Anywho – but that's not for now, so let's get on with the show. I don't think I have anything to comment on, but I hope you enjoy the chapter. Many of you thought Mr. Potter was going into hiding – quite a surprising many of you, actually… (whether it be by review or e-mail) Well, you'll see how your guesses faired out ;)

And many people mentioned having friends (guys) who wore women's clothes at least once. Me too – although I think we gave him $5, and shoved him out of the change room and into the store. We were 15 – we were allowed to be cruel;) I think there's a picture somewhere…

And for the chocolate and oranges thing – yes there is a story behind it. It actually happened to everyone at my table during Prom dinner. Dessert was chocolate mouse with fruit on top and there was a slice of mandarin orange. Long story short, when my friend came back to our table, she mentioned the chocolate and orange thing, and all of us looked down at our half eaten chocolate mousse and lack of mandarin. My friend then promptly took her slice of mandarin and placed it on a side plate. Needless to say it was humorous.

Happy reading :)

PS. As you'll be able to tell, my italics aren't working on ff.net AGAIN – so bear with and trust me that I'd never use so much bold in a chapter unless I was desperate – like I am now with my lack of italics.

*     *     *

Mr. Potter gestured to a high-backed, overly comfortable looking chair that James was positive wasn't there before. He should know, having been in this office many times before (for numerous scoldings and occasional pranks, respectively). James took the offered seat and wasn't surprised when it was just as comfortable as he had expected. Possibly more.

"Tea?" Mr. Potter asked, holding up a cup.

"Please." James replied, wondering what on earth his father was there for. He wasn't being taken home, was he? No, he was Head Boy… James' eyes widened. Maybe McGonagall had found out about him being an animagus… or worse – maybe he was seen with Lily on one of their recent past-curfew outings… Well that wasn't worse as much as it was embarrassing.

Mr. Potter was oblivious to James' subtle facial changes as he got the tea ready. In James cup he added three sugars; his own: two sugars, one cream. Mr. Potter handed his son his cup of tea.

"Thank you."

Mr. Potter nodded and sipped his tea, leaned back in his comfortable, high-backed chair and looked anything but relaxed. His body was stiff and his movements were less fluid and more mechanical. Mr. Potter broke the silence with a small clearing of his throat. "How are classes coming?"

'Ah yes, the small talk…' James shrugged and let out a sigh. "As good as can be expected with NEWTS coming and a girlfriend who likes to remind you of that fact."

Mr. Potter's lips curved into a soft smile. "How is Lily?"

Again, James shrugged. "As good as can be with NEWTS coming and a boyfriend by the name of James Potter."

"That bad, eh?" He truly did look sympathetic.

"I do like her… and I really do feel for her, but she seems to be absolutely smitten with the bloke."

"Hm…" Mr. Potter looked pensive, took a sip and looked back at James. "I know you've been friends for many years, but you'll have to try with Jennifer then."

James shook his head sadly. "She's been with that Remus Lupin character, a bit dodgy if you ask me, for longer than Lily's been with that strapping young man of hers."

Mr. Potter furrowed his brow and let out a low whistle. "It must be something in the water." James nodded his agreement. "What about that odd one there, Sirius Black?"

James shook his head again. "Not my type." When James saw his father about to lose his composure and smile, he continued. "But no, no girl has attached herself to him lately."

Mr. Potter nodded. "At least not all is wrong in the world." After saying it, an immediate hush blanketed the room and its occupants. Perhaps that wasn't the best thing to say…

James sat uncomfortably (very odd when in such a comfortable chair), and gave a small cough. He put his teacup on McGonagall's desk and rested his hands in his lap. "What are you really here for?" He asked quietly. To release some tension, he added lightly, "And I doubt it's to indirectly insult me and my friends."

Mr. Potter had been expecting this question sooner or later. By his sigh, he obviously would have preferred the question later, but his determined gaze showed the seriousness of the situation. Mr. Potter leaned forward.

"You obviously know what's going on outside Hogwarts, James, and no doubt the Potter in you wants to be out there fighting it…" He stopped, leaned back and seemed to be re-thinking his strategy. "Give me a minute to think, I started on the wrong foot."

James took this allotted time to study his father. There were definitely more grey hairs on his head, not enough for many to notice, but James did. There were darkened circles beneath his eyes; the crinkles at the corners of them looked more like stress lines. Even the laugh lines cornering his mouth seemed weary and not put to use.

Leaving his face, James noticed a slight reduction in weight. The Aurors were being worked harder and any weight his father had gained in his age was gone. Mr. Potter's hands shook subtly as he raked them through his hair, adding to his look of exhaustion.

James felt guilty for enjoying his time at Hogsmeade that day. Men (and women, James chided himself, knowing Lily would have smacked him for not including them) were out fighting, and some even dying for the freedom they had in the Wizarding World. Men like his father, some of the only family he had left (not counting a handful of second cousins in Dublin and an estranged cousin – his aunt's daughter on his mother's side – who was last heard from six years ago), were putting their lives on the line.

Mr. Potter looked up at James and saw him lost in thought. "By reading the Daily Prophet, James, you may notice that Voldemort has, of late, been attacking purebloods." James focused his attention back on his father. "We figure there is a reason for this – as Voldemort isn't like others who killed without purpose. He still enjoys his muggle carnage, but the brunt of his attacks have been focused on purebloods.

 "Purebloods that date back centuries or have at least a few married into their lineage. There are not many families attacked, but when he goes for one, he goes for all who immediately oppose him. Each house has been ransacked. Books torn, files strewn about, libraries destroyed.

"We don't have a clue as to what he's looking for, and we doubt he'll leave us any clues. If he doesn't find what he's looking for, the family that is home are killed and their libraries, files, and books burned." Mr. Potter took a deep breath before continuing. He looked deep into James' eyes, as if trying to send the message to him without having to speak the words aloud. For saying them would make them real. And making them real would be admitting to the pain he felt for each thought of it that consumed him at night.

He closed his eyes and continued on. "We don't have much of a family to lose, James," his voice was low. He opened his eyes, "but I won't go down without a fight, if indeed the need to fight arises."

~     *     ~

"She said a moment and it's been more than a moment." Lily poured herself another glass of pumpkin juice. "She even came back without him!" Most of the hall was empty, except for a handful of students treading Chocolate Frog cards at the Hufflepuff table. "Did she throw him in the lake or something?"

"Will you calm down?" Jen asked exasperatedly. She'd been listening to this banter for nearly an hour along with Sirius and Remus. "We're already waiting here with you – don't make us suffer with your constant belly aching." She put her head back into her arms, upon the table, and resumed watching the little lines and blots of colour dance behind her eyelids; each a different face shape from the dimming Jack-o-lanterns she had been following.

Lily closed her mouth, clasped her fingers and placed them in her lap. She looked across the table and saw Sirius sucking on a red lollipop. With a disgusted look on her face, remembering the charade at the Slytherin table earlier, she took her eyes off him. Lily chewed her bottom lip and glanced at Remus on the other side of Jen. He was rubbing her back with one hand, and propping up his head with the other.

"Oh honestly," came the muffled sound of Jen's voice. She lifted her head, "Stop drumming your fingers!"

Lily looked down and saw that, indeed, she had been drumming her fingers. "But do you think he could be hurt? Maybe McGonagall tricked him-"

"McGonagall is not a spy for Voldemort." Jen said shortly. "Why can't we wait for James in the Tower with the others?"

"Because I want to know what he was needed for-"

"He won't come back to the Hall, Lily," Jen interrupted, "as I've said before. He knows when the feast is over and he'll go back to the Tower."

"Why are you so grouchy?" Lily asked, frowning in annoyance.

"Because you're not letting me get some bloody sleep when I've stuffed myself to the brim." Jen answered, shoving her face back into her arms. "And we're here for no reason. We're lacking a logical explanation as to why he'd come back here."

Sirius licked his lips, put the stick on a plate that was left there (he figured it was for his lollipop-less sticks) and snatched up another red one. Looking between the girls as they argued, he took off the wrapper and popped it into his red-dyed mouth.

" –and will you stop eating those?" Jen yelled at him abruptly, snapping her arm across the table and yanking it from his mouth.

"Hey-" Sirius began weakly, red lips in a pout.

"How can you eat these?" Jen asked, putting the candy on the table. She took out her wand and pointed at the innocent candy before her.

"What are you doing?" Lily asked incredulously as she watched Jen. Sirius had repeated his pitiful 'hey…'

With a flick of her wand and a couple whispered words, the lollipop burst into flames. A small maniacal smile told the other three Jen was proud. They could do nothing but stare as the flames slowly dwindled until it was no more than a scorch on the wooden table.

"Are you mental?" Lily asked. "What the hell was that?"

"That was her totalling my cherry lollipop!" Sirius yelled, now finding his voice. "You are mental…"

"Cherry?" Lily said with a surprised voice. "I thought it was a blood lollipop!" She threw her hands in the air and caught the smell of burnt cherry wafting from the table. Jen seemed to have thought the same thing.

Remus raised his eyebrows and spoke for the first time since he agreed to wait. "Are you feeling alright, Jen?"

"I have a tummy ache and growing headache." She whined, dropping her head to the table.

Remus quickly put his hand below her head to soften the impact and cover the ashes. "I'll bring you to Madam Pomfrey." He said gently, helping her up and wiping his hand on his robes. The charred candy wouldn't easily wipe off. "We'll see you later." He called to Lily and Sirius as he and Jen walked away. The last they saw of the couple at that moment was Jen jumping on Remus for a piggyback.

Sirius looked to Lily with a suggestive grin. "Would you like a piggyback, Lily?" Lily groaned and turned back to the table. "I swear I won't tell James."

"Maybe later." She mumbled, looking at the staff table and seeing Aubury and Romulus chatting. "Defence is going to be much different now."

Sirius followed her line of vision and saw the two lone teachers flipping through papers and laughing. "I guess the females of Hogwarts are happy with two of the new additions of the staff." He said conversationally.

Lily snorted. "Of course. But what about the males? Trelawney's not too old…"

Sirius laughed. "Aubury was the one to crush." He told her honestly, eliciting a raised eyebrow from Lily. Apparently that was news to her. "Then maybe Gaizer or Rah-Sün – if you like that mysterious vibe."

Lily nodded and smirked. "Groovy." She ignored Sirius' comment ("That was so last year…") and continued. "So who do you have your eye on Sirius?" She leaned on the table and propped her legs across the bench.

"Me?" Sirius copied her pose, facing her. "I'm not all into teachers this year…"

"You know what I mean Sirius." Lily said with a smile, poking at the scorch mark with one of Sirius' lollipop sticks.

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't." He said cryptically, raising an eyebrow. "Getting bored of Thongs?"

Lily rolled her eyes and lay down on the bench carefully, making sure not to fall. She told Sirius to do the same, and they spoke beneath the tabletop. Sirius lay on his stomach as Lily lay on her back. "No, I'm not bored of James at all. I'm just surprised you've been single so long – being the-" here she did the quotations, ""hot chunk of man-flesh" that you are."

Sirius smiled to himself. "I am, aren't I?"

Lily turned on her side and faced him. "Are you waiting for someone?"

The question caught Sirius off guard. "Pardon?"

Lily shrugged harmlessly. "Just speculation. Maybe you're waiting for her to come to you, whether you know who she is or not."

Sirius carefully turned onto his back and watched the stars through the enchanted ceiling. A Jack-o-lantern passed by and he followed it with his eyes. "Maybe." She had brought up an interesting point.

"Well isn't this a shock?" Said a humoured voice.

Sirius jumped and fell off the bench in surprise, and Lily steadied herself by grabbing the tabletop. "What's a surprise, sir?" she asked, sitting up and smoothing out her robes. Sirius got up from the floor and frowned at the intruder.

"Sirius Black chatting to a pretty girl and not trying to pick her up." Professor Lupin smiled and sat down by Lily. "I'm Romulus Lupin." He said to her, extending his hand.

"Lily Evans, Head Girl." She said, taking his hand and shaking it. "Remus spoke a lot about you these past couple of months. It's good to finally meet you."

"Likewise." Professor Lupin smiled. "How goes life, Sirius?" He asked the black-haired student still trying to compose himself.

"I'm in school, girlfriend-less, and your brother is dating my twin sister." Sirius said dryly. "Life's pretty good."

Lupin tried to hide his humour from the part with Remus and Jen. If Sirius had known half the things he knew… "Very good. Well, if you two'd like to clear out, it's getting near curfew."

With a few more words with the newly appointed teacher, the students headed back to Gryffindor Tower. They walked side by side, and spoke little. While a staircase before them moved, Sirius posed a question.

"Lily?" She looked at him. "Why were you so worked up earlier?"

The staircase stopped and the two began their ascent.

"I'm not entirely sure." She said honestly. "There's been stress with my Head duties, NEWTS, Voldemort, homework, career options, Petunia's got this 'dish' she met over the summer and my mum swears she hears wedding bells…"

"Wait, wait." Sirius stopped walking down the corridor, one hand in a 'stop' position. "Your mum thinks your sister will marry a dish?"

"Apparently." Lily said with amusement. "Muggle term. She's found herself a good man, is generally what it means. And I guess the addition of good looks, but I've not met him."

"So you don't know how dishy this guy can be?" Sirius asked as they reached the Portrait. "Orange tastes better with chocolate." The Portrait swung open. "After you."

Lily went in, followed by Sirius and they sat upon the couches near the fireplace.

"Jen's sleeping already." Remus told the new arrivals. "And James is not back yet," he leaned in to them, "but we did check the map." He said quietly, not letting Ara, Mel or Gus overhear. None of them knew of it. "And he's in McGonagall's office."

"Alone?" Lily cut in, glancing at Mel and Gus who were taking a break from studying and playing Exploding Snap and Ara who was keeping Bastet, her Egyptian Mau, from jumping the tier of cards threatening to fall.

Remus shook his head. "With his father."

~     *     ~

James took in what his father told him not with a grain of salt, but an ocean of it. Before he had been a mere spectator in a crowd, watching the good fight the bad. The game was being played on the field, and there he would be in the stands. Nothing had really struck home for him.

Lily had been affected, as were Mel, Remus and Peter. He was indirectly, if you could put it that way, affected.

Now though… now he felt a cold stab of dread. His family was one in a long line of purebloods. He had heard stories growing up about one of his greatest grandfathers beating Merlin in a game of Wizarding chess. Back then it was played with real knights, miniature towers, villagers as pawns and bishops, scarlet women as the queens (Merlin, as he had heard, always had a great sense of humour) and the two leading would be the kings.

But back on topic, there were a great many famous wizards and witches from the Potter lineage - married or born into. Many purebloods married one another – staying "pure" – but a good number of Potter men and women had married muggleborns or halfbloods.

Him and his father… some of the only Potters left… It was a hard idea to grasp that they might be no more. Voldemort was looking for something, something of great importance, obviously. What could these purebloods have that he'd want?

James and his father discussed Voldemort for over an hour until James began to feel drowsy with all the food sitting in his stomach. After his third yawn, James decided to change the topic and end on a different note.

"Remus' brother is teaching here now." He said with a stretch.

Mr. Potter seemed to have known this. "Yes, we need Glacia back, she's a good Auror. How old is Professor Lupin?"

"Twenty-five or six, and half the girls are probably already writing his name on their books in little hearts." James said with a roll of his eyes.

"Seems as though that other teacher there… what did you say his name was?" Mr. Potter asked, snapping a finger as he tried to remember-

"Adams. He teaches Muggle Studies."

"Yes, yes. During September you told me all the girls were after him." Mr. Potter briefly thought of the complete oddness of the conversation. Were they talking about guys? "New competition, I suppose."

"New meat to the girls." James joked, but thought, it was most likely true.

"You know, in my time here there was none of this teacher fancying…" Mr. Potter spoke nostalgically. ('That you spoke of out loud…' James thought humorously) Mr. Potter looked into McGonagall's fireplace and seemed to be remembering the older days, and quite possibly some of his better days of young.

"Yes well, Dumbledore wasn't Headmaster when you went to school and his hair was still auburn." James pointed out after a minute of watching his father.

"True." Said Mr. Potter. "Well James, I must be going now. Shall I walk you to the Portrait?"

James contemplated saying no, but with the news of why his father visited – "Sure."

Mr. Potter left a quick note thanking McGonagall for letting them use her office and left. "So is anything exciting happening at Hogwarts?" Mr. Potter asked, nodding to a couple of portraits that called to him.

"Oh I didn't mention it!" James exclaimed, wondering how he had forgotten. "Cupid and Psyche are going to be parents."

His father faced him and smiled. "Really? I didn't think animals could breed within Hogwarts' boundaries… else there be thousands of babies running around and no letters being delivered."

James shrugged. "Well they were together during the summer…"

"True."

"I just hope it didn't happen in my room." James added with a scrunched up face.

"Well the two of us were at the Ministry most of July…" Mr. Potter said thoughtfully, "and all August you were out with your friends."

"Dad, I don't want to hear that." James said in finality. They joked some more as they made it to the Fat Lady. Even in the dim torchlight, James saw her smoothing out her pink dress and touching up her hair at the sight of them.

"Hello David." She said to Mr. Potter in what James could only infer as flirtatious. The thought made him feel sick.

"Good evening ma'am." Mr. Potter said with a nod. "I haven't seen you for years. I see they restored you lately… you look as lovely as ever."

The Fat Lady blushed, adding to the amount of pink covering canvas. "Why thank you…" She cooled her face with her pink-feathered fan.

Mr. Potter turned to James, "You be good, alright James?" He asked quietly, laying a hand on James' shoulder.

"Only if you watch out for yourself." James said, not enjoying the worry in his father's eyes.

"I'm doomed, aren't I?" Mr. Potter joked and pulled his son into a fierce hug. They patted each other on the back and pulled away.

"Orange tastes best with chocolate." James said to the Fat Lady. Mr. Potter raised an eyebrow. "Don't ask."

"It's been nice seeing you again ma'am," Mr. Potter once again nodded to her, as she swung open.

James stepped through and waved to his father. "Bye dad."

"Bye son – tell everyone I say hello." He watched the Portrait close before leaving.

When he walked into the Common Room, James saw Lily and Sirius waiting for him. Lily had somehow gotten Sirius to study. They both looked up when he entered and Lily stood to meet him.

James reached her and said naught a word, but instead took her in a hug and buried his face in her neck. He clamped his eyes shut and willed them not to tear. Lily rubbed his back and he felt Sirius wrap an arm over his shoulders and give him a squeeze.

"My dad says hello." He murmured into Lily's neck.

~     *     ~

"Eggs?"

"Yes, five of them." Lily nodded.  She was seated in the staff room on a love seat; James sat beside her, holding her hand.

"And you say they were laid on Halloween?" Phoenical asked, seated in an armchair across from the two Heads.

"Well, we found them on Halloween but we think they were actually laid at least a week prior. Halloween was the first date we decided to check up on her." Lily answered.

Phoenical nodded. "Well, a barn owl's gestation period is approximately two months, sometimes a week or so longer with the magical breeds." She stopped and thought. "So they must have been in contact during the summer often as the female is not usually impregnated on the first mating."

Lily nodded and took in everything their Care of Magical Creatures said calmly. James, she noticed, was a tad squeamish.

"So…" He began, "so would they do that in a… forest or… attic?"

Phoenical shook her head. "No. Like humans, animals tend to mate where they feel safe – more so for the magical breeds. Places such as the room in which one of the mates sleep," James' face became one of dread, "or their favourite room in the house."

"Oh…" James said meekly.

"What do you two plan to do with the owlets once they hatch?" The Professor asked.

Lily looked to James, then back to her teacher. "Well, I had thought that we, with the help of our friends, might help raise them."

"Then what?" Phoenical pressed. "Keep them yourselves?"

"I guess we'd sell them…"

"It'd be difficult for you and your owls." Phoenical said. "No, I suggest you sell them to Eeylops soon after they're born. The manager, Mr. Veer, would come to pick them up personally. He'll raise them and make them fine carriers."

"But Psyche will be crushed!" Lily exclaimed.

"Lily, you do understand that even with their parents feeding them day and night, they'll constantly squawk, don't you?" Phoenical asked. "You say they laid the eggs above your bed, correct?"

"Yes, but-"

"Then neither you nor the other girls in your dorm can expect to sleep for two months after they've hatched." The Professor stated simply. "Not to mention the droppings, animal carcass', et cetera that will be there in plenty. Eeylops is your best bet for the owlets' benefits. Mr. Veer has been doing this for years and also raised yours, correct?"

"Yes, but-"

"Lily," James spoke softly, looking at her, "I'm sure they'll have other clutches after this one. We can decide how to help with those, but not while we're in Hogwarts, Lily."

"Head duties and NEWTS are enough to have on your plate." Phoenical added. "Just think of the owlets, Miss Evans."

Lily nodded and slumped back into the loveseat. "Should you write to Mr. Veer, or should I?"

~     *     ~

"Alright class, the last project was done well by all groups." Professor Adams said, handing back the papers. "Even with the small… set back in the beginning for some." Sirius smiled sheepishly and Janna acted like she had no inkling as to what the teacher was talking about. "I was very proud of you.

"But now we more onto a more fun and recreational project." He opened up a cardboard box and took out his wand. "Alright, you will all get a pair these," he took out a couple of grey oven mitts, "and you will find your partner by matching the mitts."

"And what will we be doing?" Asked Hunter tentatively as he avoided a pair of pink mitts floating his way.

"We'll be baking simple cinnamon buns." Professor Adams said lightly. "I would have you guys doing something a tad more difficult, but I watch how the students eat and…" He trailed off with a shake of his head. "I find that there is a direct link with how people eat and how clean they are when they cook." A few students hung their heads. "Everyone keep your wands on your desks – we're doing this completely muggle style."

"Hence the class, right?" James said.

Adams smiled. "Exactly." He watched as the last two lime-green pairs of oven mitts fell to their users. "Alright, everyone pair up – and no switching mitts or partners – you don't want to know what'll happen if you do."

"You know it's against the rules to hex us, right?" Sirius said as he looked for another pair of asphalt grey mitts.

"Sirius, I have you in my class – they'd never believe it was me." Adams said with an evil grin.

Everyone in the class laughed as Sirius gave a dramatic defeated look. "He's a clever one, he is." Sirius whispered conspiratorially to Jen as they passed one another.

"He's up against you, Sirius," Jen said, "of course he's clever." She happily joined Remus, who shared her sunshine yellow coloured mitts.

"Everyone paired?" Adams asked, watching with humour as Hunter and Dennis stared in horror at their pink gloves. "Excellent. Now, each pair mosey to your matching oven-"

"You really had fun with this colour matching, didn't you?" James said with disgust as he held his indigo mitts with the tips of his fingers, eyeing them.

"- and then you can get started with your baking." He looked at James. "Yes I did. Makes things simple. Now, go."

"But what's with the colours?" Piotrek asked, shooting a look at his red/orange mitts.

"Oh just get to your ovens!" Adams said impatiently.

The class moseyed, as told, to their ovens and looked at all their bowls, ingredients, and utensils with interest; except for the muggle-borns. They were quite humoured to see that the mitts matched perfectly with the ovens and all their baking needs. Adams definitely had too much fun with the colours…

James, partnered with Tegan, stared at their oven. "What do we do now?" He asked her.

Tegan shrugged and picked up a sheet of paper. "There're instructions here…"

"It's called a recipe." Halle said from beside them.

"Yea – a recipe." Sirius repeated from beside Halle. Both had grey mitts. "You've never spent more than 5 minutes making anything, have you James?"

James ignored him. "You said you worked in a soup kitchen – you should know about this kind of thing…" He said to Tegan.

"Yes but all I did was serve them soup!" She replied, looking at all the ingredients before her.

The class continued on with students dropping flour, accidentally adding twice the amount of yeast or in a few cases - making the cinnamon buns fine. Peter and his partner Laura were doing well.

"Alright… so we roll it up…" Peter said, glancing over the next step in their recipe.

Laura gave him a shy smile and assisted him in rolling up the dough with cinnamon and brown sugar sprinkled over it. "So Peter…" She began uncertainly.

"Yes?" Peter asked, helping her cut the cylindrical pastry.

"Er… thanks for helping me with all my Herbology…" She said quickly.

"Oh…" Peter nodded and began placing the cinnamon buns on a tray. 'Just ask her you fool…'

"I'm an absolute mess when it comes to learning all the plants and their attributes." She put on her lime green oven mitts and lifted the tray into the oven.

"Oh, anytime." Peter smiled and thought once again, 'Just ask her… do it – six little words…'

"And… I was wondering if you'd… if you'd, you know, want to sometime – maybe, if you weren't busy or anything…" She rubbed the back of her neck and looked to the floor. Peter could feel the heat rise in his face as he awaited her sentence in its finality. She took a deep breath and spoke very quickly. "Go to Hogsmeade with me…"

"Yes." Peter answered the second she said 'me'. This was it… his first official date – and she asked him! This was amazing… colossal even.

"Okay…" Laura breathed, seeming to have finally heaved off that task from her shoulders. "Next Hogsmeade trip then?"

"Great." Peter said, unable to come up with anything more than one syllable. He wanted to wow her off her feet with his suaveness and humour – like Sirius could. Amaze her with his caring and wit – like James. Make her melt with his respect and sweetness – like Remus. But he was Peter. Peter Pettigrew. Wormtail. Sperm Whale… But then there was that other thing…

Voldemort. Was he really a Death Eater? The thought puzzled Peter from time to time. A Death Eater. What kind of name was that anyways? He didn't have the tattoo, 'Thank Merlin'. And sometimes he wondered… He wondered if he could get out. Although he knew that once you sign yourself up – there's no tearing that contract. It was unbreakable, so to say. But he wasn't really in. Was he?

Peter shook his head. He didn't know what was what…

"Are you ok, Peter?"

But he sure as hell knew he had a date for the next Hogsmeade trip!

"I'm fine, Laura." Both of their heads swivelled to the other side of the classroom as a shriek pierced the air.

"It's burning!!" Janna yelled. "Professor! Professor it's on fire!"

Adams ran over to where Janna and Ryan were attempting to bake. There was, indeed, fire ablaze from their oven with Ryan waving his roan mitt at it, swatting at the flames as Janna pushed the smoke from her face. Adams took out his wand and extinguished the flames immediately, but couldn't – for the life of him – save the cinnamon buns. After clearing the smoke, he had Ryan take out the cinnamon buns.

All that was left were charred ashes.

"… Janna," Ryan began in what would be a conversational voice, "aren't you muggle-born?"

With a slight whimper for the marks she would surely lose, Janna nodded. "But that doesn't mean I can cook! I told you I set fire to my toast once."

While some students sniggered, and Adams raised a humoured eyebrow, Ryan sighed in defeat. "I thought you were joking."

Jen and Remus went back to their cinnamon buns. "How many buns do we have in the oven, Remus?" Jen asked, putting on her bright yellow mitts.

Remus stuttered. "Uh, w-we, what?"

"Cinnamon buns – how many did we make?" She repeated, looking at him with an odd look.

"Nothing… nothing at all." He answered her unasked question. "I think we made thirty."

Jen took them out, set them atop the oven and smelled their sweet cinnamon aroma. "Did you put together the icing?"

"Done and done. Just wait for them to cool and we'll put it on." Remus said, taking some icing on his finger and dabbing it on her nose.

"Hey!" Remus leaned forward and pecked it off with a swift kiss.

After looking thoughtful for a minute and swishing his tongue in his mouth, he said, "Yes it's quite good."

Jen looked to the cinnamon buns and said quietly, "I hope we can make more things together, Remus."

Remus, who had been holding the bowl of icing, dropped it on the floor in shock at the suggestiveness in the sentence. He tried to catch it as it fell, ending up with it on his robes. Swearing, Remus felt around his pockets for his wand, saw it on his desk and groaned as Adams walked up to them.

"You'll have to clean it up the muggle way, Remus." He said, handing the werewolf a mop.

With a quick glare at Jen, who was looking quite innocent, Remus began to mop.

Adams made his way past Remus and Jen to the next oven where Ara stood, trying not to laugh. "How are we doing over here?" He asked her and Piotrek. "Yurt?"

"Pretty good, sir." Piotrek answered, holding up a bowl with twice the amount of icing.

With raised eyebrows, Adams asked, "Now why would you have so much of it?"

"Well," Ara began, leaning against a desk that was close by, "you see, we made it too watery, and then we added too much sugar… and basically – we just kept getting more and more and more… so now we have some to snack on." With a glint in her brown eyes, she added, "Would you like some, Professor?"

"No thank you Arabella." Adams answered, knowing what she was thinking about and remembering the same thing. He often thought back to their summer fling and wondered what was to be made of them once Arabella graduated. He hadn't seen her dating anyone else and he sure hadn't been seeing anyone.

"Do you not like vanilla icing?" She asked sweetly. "I assure you it's quite good – especially when you have it on a cake."

'Or someone's face…' Adams nodded, hoping she'd not do that in front of other students. "Yes I do enjoy the flavour, but I'm afraid I can't have any." He answered her, hoping to rid her of any delusions of them, possibly, having another icing war like that in the summer before.

"Well there'll be lots left if you're interested." She concluded, seeing that their cinnamon buns were cooled.

The Professor left them with a smirk on his face, and made a mental note to have a nice chilled shower later on that night…

~     *     ~

Sirius sat down next to Peter on one of the Gryffindor Common Room couches as the smaller boy attempted his Transfiguration homework. Peter looked up when Sirius sat down.

"What?" He asked.

"Oh nothing…" Sirius replied with an evil grin.

"No really – what?" Peter tried again, wishing for someone to interrupt them. He didn't like Sirius' look… what did he buy at Zonkos when Peter wasn't with him?

"Oh nothing…" Sirius repeated, leaning back casually and stretching his legs before him. Lily's cat, Iphigenia, clambered up them and rested on Sirius' lap. Petting her head, Sirius said, "So you have a date?"

Peter's quill blotted some ink and he looked sharply at Sirius. "Who told you?"

Sirius shrugged and let the cat paw at a loose thread from his sweater. "Heard it through the grapevine." He patted Peter's shoulder. "Just wanted to say I'm proud." He got off the couch, cat in arms, and opened his mouth to speak. "Next Hog-" He stopped talking when something caught his eye. Ivani, a Gryffindor Prefect, was tacking something up on the bulletin board… A little click sounded in Sirius' head – the Spirit Week was next week! He dashed over to it, cat still in arms and now chewing his sleeve, and read what Monday's theme would be.

"Muggle Day?" He said out loud. "So… so we dress like a muggle?"

Ivani, beside him, nodded. "That sounds about right." She quickly covered her grinning mouth with a hand, and high-tailed it away from him. James had said that she might not want to be near Sirius when he read what Wednesday's day would be… but after the Gladrags' episode, she wasn't so sure.

Oh yes – you could hear quite the tales from the grapevine…

"Pyjama Day… Opposite Day?" Sirius asked no one in particular. Iphigenia, however, lifted her head. "Everything is opposite? Do I wear my boxers outside my trousers?"

James walked down from his dormitory and saw Sirius at the board. It was later at night; many students were in bed. "Ah, I see it's been posted." He said. "And no, Sirius – opposite day as in you wearing some… female clothing."

Sirius' head began nodding slowly, and then that clicking sound went off in his head again. "What?" He asked in alarm. "I… I, what?"

"But you're used to that, right?" James asked cheekily. "Aren't you, Tampon?"

Sirius was nearly speechless. Nearly, but not quite. "How can you do that to the males of Hogwarts?" He yelled. "Are you really that much against your gender?"

"No, I really just find it absolutely hilarious." He ran behind a couch when Sirius charged him. "I have to dress up too!" For some reason, he just couldn't help but laugh.

Peter was seated on that particular couch and was staring at James. "I'm not dressing up like a girl!"

"Oh you don't have to wear the full uniform." James assured them. "Just… the skirt," he dodged a pillow on a flight path to his head, "or some lipstick," he dodged Peter's book that would have missed had he not moved, "or a bra if you so choose." He decided now was a good time to run. "Just read Thursday's day and you'll see that I made up for it." He said from the top of the boy's stairs.

Grumbling about the many ways of torture Filch had threatened him with and how they could be applied to James, Sirius walked over to the bulletin board and read Thursdays. "Well, that's a slight pick me upper."

Below 'Wednesday – Opposite Day (boy – girl)' was neatly written, 'Thursday – Prank Day (must not be harmful to students, staff or anything within or out Hogwarts' walls and not during classes)' in words that sang angelically in Sirius' head.

If he were to help get points for Gryffindor with participation – he'd have to start now. Running to the stairs, he bid goodnight to Peter and was off to hug James and settle down with a 'Hex Your Enemies – Curse Your Friends!' book, quill and parchment.

Ah, the joys of being a teenage boy attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the lovely year of 1976…

*     *     *

M'kay – chapter done and I hope to God that I get the next out in two weeks. Once again, so sorry if I don't, but this job works me hard (especially when you're not used to it), etc. Enough of my excuses and/or complaining – here's your thanks for Chapter 9!

sayuri-chan: Yes, I believe the Gobstones would have found a good home :) How sweet of you to be so concerned ;) Thanks for the review!

Vega Black: Sirius and Ara, eh? I think I'm finally really grating on people's nerves with that pair of characters. I get at least 20 people telling me to get them together fast ;) Thanks for the review!

penpunk: Nah, I doubt Sirius was in Slytherin. He was the Black Sheep (hey – that works in two ways!) in his family… so I think he'd have been in Gryffindor. Ok, I really 'lmao' with the "his brother sure sounds yummy though" line. I love that term – "yummy". Yes, in my head he certainly is yummy :) But he has the happy go lucky attitude of a college guy that I just love to write :) What makes you think I wouldn't want a review everyday ;) Thanks for the review!

kerry: I really should write back to you, shouldn't I? LOL – you certainly enjoy your little inserts, even if they're just so small, don't you? Sorry there was none in this chapter ;) Like how I make you the one who goes after all the hot guys? Well… let's just say you're appreciative! Lol – Anywho, thanks for the lovely review, as usual and keep them key points coming ;)

Star:  Alright… you confused me a tad with the last comment about already updating this chapter when you reviewed… but I'll just ignore that ;) Thanks for the review!

Lily Smith: lol – a few people have said stuff about not talking about anything of their vacations. What I meant was not to use the review box as an e-mail composition. Some people never mentioned the chapter or anything – but I didn't want to hone in on anyone specific, so I made it general ;) I think everyone loves Sirius. *sniffs* Anywho - Thanks for the review!

Beaver Buddy: You've tried Diet Pepsi? Know what I don't mind? Diet/Caffeine free Pepsi. Not too shabby. And I know I always get the "that's just coloured water!!!" rant from people see me drinking it… but have they read the ingredients?? No. *clears throat* Right then… I don't mind love/hate so much. Oh yes – they can be done awfully "you accidentally turned my hair blue, I'll hate you forever and a day!" – but I've read some good ones that aren't 'love/hate' per se, but more so indifference to each other and nothing that they really like about one another. Those are good love/hate. Anywho – off topic now. Thanks for the review!

Anarane: Thank you very much for enjoying my humour :) I hope I updated soon enough. Thanks for the review!

LadySiri: :( I know what you mean… reading over Sirius' part gave me a sense of bittersweet humour and love for him. But at least we know he's happy now, eh? Thanks for the review!

Lady Ruth: Thank you very much :)

FireLadyDrakayna: Oh I hope you enjoyed OotP and didn't cry too much – like me. I still can't believe I actually cried for so long… Thanks for the review!

everblue3: Back from the dead, eh? *picks off some rotting flesh* Yes, I should see a dermatologist, shouldn't I? Yes, I think everyone knew Psyche was pregnant – but let's just have fun and pretend that Lily is slow. *sighs* Are they really smut scenes? I mean… no clothes were off. … Yet. ;) I was going for the 'James-is-happy-like-a-father-to-owlets' thing – and I'm happy I portrayed it correctly and didn't make him a 'fanboy' of sorts that I was worried he'd end up being. Does that make any sense, or is that just me being too critical? Gah – who knows? Have you seen Ellen DeGeneres' big 'I'm back' thing? I recorded it… can't remember what it was titled, but I laughed my ass off the whole time. I highly suggest it to anyone who likes humour. Yes, yes – summer is marvolous. It seems I actually have a social life this summer… odd though, isn't it? I find myself being a bit overwhelmed… Anywho – thank you for reviewing and I hope you're having a lovely time in Paris :)

BrAiNsOtHeR48: lol – methinks I should have made you beg ;) And yes, I think people should stick with their idea of their fics, unless it's close to the truth… then they can just revise a tad (aka. Emmyjean's Crossroads). Good story. Thanks for the review!

running out of ink: I completely agree with you – as I read over it before posting, the chapter seemed quite short. It was over 5000 words – like all my chapters, but I think it was the small snippets of people's day that made it seem short. The longer you're in one thought, idea, scene – the longer it may seem. That's my guestimation ;) ~*~ What do you mean obsessed with ~*~? Not at all, not at all … ~*~ I liked the book just fine. Sure, I could nitpick about nearly everything – but half of it is just sour grapes about how shitty Harry's 5th year really was. Her writing style has deepened and I think she's finally writing her way. I mean – even look at my writing for cryin in the mud! Look at chapter one (well, I have fixed it up a bit…) of TGTYEL and then chapter 1 of IJTL. Completely different. And that shows growth, and I think JKR has grown beautifully as an author. ~*~ Thanks for the review! ~*~

MandaB: Too right – if I can't write, then I can't and won't. ;) Thanks for the support and the review!

blinky86: Oy… 5:30am is a wicked time to be awake. Trust me – I know. I've stayed up till 6am not too long ago, and have to wake up at 4:30am sometimes for work. It's insane, it really is. I can't believe you actually know someone with the name Cecil… that's too odd. Is it his first name or last name? Both are hilarious… Thanks for the review!

Luna Athena Moon: Oh that makes me smile and so happy! Glad I made you laugh :):) Thanks for the review!

Daisy: Oh thank you very, very much :) Sure I'm no longer playing off canon, but this is how I generally see (saw) MWPP (mstt). And thank you so much for the compliments :) and for the review.

oobergoober: About the chocolate and oranges thing – that's what I've heard. I've never been a fan of the two – although I have had orange liquor in fondue before. Not much, but some. Can't remember the outcome of that… That was a very interesting idea about the Evans' being murdered and such… that would have been a good plan ;) but no, that's not it. Did you like my hint? Muahahaha… lol – I can't believe you actually wrote some of the review in the paper. Did you not look it over? That's hilarious… Thanks for the review!

She shoots, She scores: Where on Earth have you been, missy? Sure, I was at the cottage for the past 3 days… but are you on your little road trip? I don't remember when Ron said you were going, but it's been damn lonely. *sniffs* Anywho – I put your little cooking part in here. That really was a good idea – cause I know you're a tad… I don't want to say insecure… but unsure of it. It really was good and I spent a good amount of time writing it and who'd go with whom. Sorry I didn't put you with a Marauder, but the line Jen said that made Remus drop the icing had to be put in there. It popped in my head and I couldn't leave it be. Anywho – this is longer than your usual thanks, eh? Hope you come back soon!!

ferahgo: Yea you were mentioned again ;) Honestly, I've got to find a way to put you in more… really. I've been thinking of it every chapter, but I can't think of anything to make you show up, etc. But I have an idea for the next chapter, so if you're not there – you can flame me :) Is it just me – or was that entire part just really repetitive? And yes – that outfit makes you ass look fabulous!

Dahlia Flower: Yes you have reviewed before… I'm certain of it. I think… or maybe its just cause I see your name in my people-who-have-me-in-their-favourite-authors-list thing? All I can suggest is that you should only look for an update on the weekend. I'll not update on any other days unless I say otherwise. (I used to do that with all my favourites, too) I'm happy everyone likes Romulus :) I was worried, cause I'm into mythology and had him in mind in the beginning of the fic, but when he started to come into mention (ie. When Mr and Mrs Lupin died) many people were doing the Remus/Romulus tie ins. Then I thought I'd be, you know, overdone… but I think he's unique enough. My 'college-guy' character. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thanks for the review!

Amanda: Aw… I'm one of the two you always review? Well that's a sweet thing to know! Makes me happy. That's cool that you have a friend that lets you dress him up. I'm sure one of my friends would let me do it to him if I dressed up like a guy, and used a mascara brush to make a small moustache and all of that… then we'd probably go to the park together just to have fun. Ah, some guys are just too precious. Thanks for reviewing every time. :)

kutelilangel: I, as said above, will be attempting to update every two weeks. Used to be once a week, but I had no life then. ;) I was hoping (and partially not- but I did make it obvious) that people'd see that Psyche was pregnant. Thanks for the review!

Melissa: Thank you for the review :) Yes, I hope Romulus makes his classes interesting!

Heather: lol – I love the 'Shutupweatherby' thing there. Thank you ever so much for the compliments, and I guess you'll just have to spend your free time… doing something creative. Ever watch "Art Attack" with the host Neil? Good show – go do some art attacks with some PVA glue and tell me how you fair;);)

LadyArwen: Boot camp, eh? Lol – I think everyone has had that tiring escapade at least once trying to find the perfect dress for a certain occasion. Well, not most guys – but you never know… Thanks for the review!

Evil Goldfish: lol – no it's not just you with the chocolate and orange incident ;) Oh yea, having arguments with people from other countries (even Canada and the USA) are fun. It's a time to gloat about your pride! Thanks for the review!

Silmarien: Oh I got a hug! Thank you! I hope you enjoyed your Canada Day! What did you do for it? I went to Parliament Hill (buses were PACKED) and saw The Guess Who perform:) Anywho - Thanks for the review!

Lillian*Loves*Lennon: Awww… you made me blush and do that cover-my-grinning-mouth-with-my-hands thing… Thank you! Nono my friend – I thought of taking Karate or Self-defence, but never got around to it… lol!! 'Macking on his girlfriend' – is this brother of your younger or older? Hm, yes I believe we're lacking in some good ol' Lily and James snogging… Are you sure you're not on meds? Okay then… ;) Thanks for the review!

Braney: *snorts* "Bum bum bum"?? *stage whispers* I think it's 'dun dun dun'. Do you really want an explanation of what happened in the change room? Really? I'll give you one: Snogging, a little bit of making out… snogging… biting, scratching – ok no! I'm joking. Have you seen '40 Days And 40 Nights'? When he's listing what he won't do to his brother? That's a great part… But yea, harmless snogging. Now if you also meant Ara and Sirius, I'm sorry to say that nothing exciting ensued.  Html stuff? Well, when you save your story in Microsoft Word, instead of saving it as a .doc, save it as .html. Now, as seen in my chapters, sometimes ff.net is royally screwed and doesn't feel like showing certain italics, bolds, etc – so don't fuss over that much. Thanks for the review!

Gryfyndor Girl: Janna and Sirius action? I'm sure some people'd kill me if I did that ;) And thank you – you're the only one to ever mention the small change in Mundungus :) Thanks for the review!

starborn: lol – I've done that before. Re-read some reviews that I'd written and not had any idea what I was talking about… Tell your friend I say hi ;) Thanks for the review!

TheSilverLady: lol – I wouldn't say JK is evil, per se… maybe just struck with a small bout of evil while writing that part? Who knows? Thanks for the review!

WindAndFireQueen: … an Irish jig? I can't believe you did an Irish jig… LMAO – "trashy-hobo-orange"?? Oy – that made me laugh. Never seen a trashy-hobo-orange, to be honest. Thank you for the comments on my story, and I'm happy you think it's fine the way it is! Lol – how nice to have a telepathic friend… ;) Thanks for the review!

Luna-Elentari: Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!! All those compliments and nicely-said-thingie-ma-bobbers were quite nice to read! Romulus is my college-guy character that I love writing:) Hm… I think Remus'd be really scarred for life if he walked into Ara and Romulus snogging… or anyone snogging his brother for that matter. Where's Gus? Hm… I wonder. ;) I have a little plan with him, so don't you worry your little self. Glad you picked up on that though. Hm… *contemplates putting warning in summary* Do you think pregnant women shouldn't read it? I'll make sure to mention it to them if ever I get wind of one reading it! Thanks so much for the review!

Alej: Ooo! Camp – camping is fun. Were you in cabins or tents? Oy – I couldn't handle that many young children for that length of time. You have my un-daunting respect. I hope the lack of cliffhanger got rid of your stress, thanks for the review!

burning flames: Oooo – you sent that review just as I was writing the Muggle Studies lesson! Good timing on that! Thanks for the review!

Through Darkness: Oh I love it… 'doll' – too cute. 'Hot In Here'? Hell – I'd love to see their reaction to 'I'm Too Sexy'!! I sent you an e-mail, didn't I? Yes I believe I did… and uh… *clears throat* To quote you: "Power to the Canadiens ((and the Canadians too!!))" Now… my guess is that you meant "and the Americans too" – unless you're from Québec and spell it 'Canadiens' like the French do… or France. But… I don't know. Mind filling me in on that? ;) Thanks for the review!

Fuunsaigi: lol – twists and turns a plenty? I hadn't thought of that before… but I guess there's a few, eh? Lol – I have some people saying 'More Remus and Jen!', some saying 'More Lily and James!' and a good number of people saying 'When in freakin hell are Sirius and Arabella going to hook up???' Makes me wonder if I should just turn this into a huge Harlequin romance fic… wouldn't that be great? Thanks for the review!

~sundust~: Oh I really could have used those tissues back when I read OotP! I don't know if you get diarrhoea per se with the orange and chocolate combination… but something happens. I really don't know – it wasn't well explained to me. Thank you for the review.

CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur: I'm happy you enjoy the story:):) Thanks for the review!

Daphne: Oh you made me smile! Thank you very much for all the praise and that you enjoy the sequel as much as the original. Really, thanks. I'll not change it at all really… There may be a few things in light of OotP – cause now we really know what the Order of the Phoenix is…  but I digress – thanks for the review and taking time to read.

And for everyone who reviewed other chapters and/or TGTYEL: Alej, ferahgo, Lillian*Loves*Lennon, kutelilangel, Heather, Fuunsaigi, Miya-chan, inu-lover, Luna-Elentari, Slytherin-fanatic, Lexie. Thank you all so much!

Alright, I've got a quick question to everyone out there in Reader Land:

Do I make everyone too funny? I mean… the parents are mostly cool, nearly all the OC teachers are funny, and… generally – are too many of my characters cracking jokes? Cause I know that you "write what you know" – and I have a lot of humour in my life. There's not one person in my life that I talk to that doesn't make jokes, or at least try – lest they be funny or not. So I was just wondering if I wasn't… what's the term? Well, if my characters were too similar in their humour.

It's just been bothering me for a bit, so I'd like to get some feedback as to what you think about my characters. It'd be really appreciated, thanks! (And I know that they're not all funny ie. Troy, Snape, Mel's grandparents… etc, but still.)

I should have a chapter up in a couple of weeks. I don't work too much this week, so I'll have some time to write… I hope. Anywho – I hope that you review and help me with my writing with your comments and criticism! See you all in the next chapter!

Oh yes – and if you want to be added to my mailing list to know when I update, give me your email in a review and tell me that you'd like to be added!