Disclaimer: Anything you recognize tis not belonging to us mateys! Unknown characters do though!

Summary: A James and Lily Story. They both led seemingly perfect lives – appearing like flawless portraits. In 6th year, everything began changing drastically, forcing them to leave childhood, and their perfect images, behind forever. Follows The Marauders Era's 6th year at school.

Author's Notes: Again, we'd like to thank you readers for reviewing :) Upcoming chapter took a long time to write since we couldn't get it right the way we wanted it to be and had to keep starting over. Read forward and enjoy.

Chapter 4: Touchy Topics

"I can't believe it's only the first day back and we had detention with McGonagall already!" cried an exasperated Sirius. He threw himself tiredly on his bed, wincing slightly. He was still in full uniform though his shirt was untucked and hair was flipping lazily around.

"I can't believe we were LATE on the first day back," Remus dryly contended, looking up for a moment from his transfiguration book.

James watched Remus with an amused expression, "Moony, why are you reading? We didn't even get any homework yet!"

"I am reviewing from last year. It would be wise for you too also," annunciated Remus carefully.

Sirius grunted loudly while waving the suggestion away, "I don't need to review. I know more about that rubbish then McGonagall teaches." He received raised eyebrows from Remus.

James paused for a moment, considering something thoughtfully. Finally, he took his limp arms away from his sides and resumed undoing his tie as he said slowly, "You're right, Moony. N.E.W.T.S. are soon."

Sirius sat up and gaped at him, "What?! What's gotten into you, Prongs my boy? N.E.W.T.S. aren't until next year!

James shrugged, "If I want to be an Auror, I've got to have the grades for it."

"James, your bloody brilliant and your marks are fine. You don't need to study. NO STUDY."

A glint of amusement appeared underneath his glasses, "Glad you think so highly of me, Padfoot." James looked over at Sirius carelessly before starting to undo his shirt and explaining, "But they've raised the margins, Sirius. Since this war with Voldemort," James saw Peter wince, "they only want the best to fight. They can't afford one faulty spell. They can't allow any mistakes."

Sirius still looked unconvinced, "Really? I'd a thought that the ministry would accept more people in for training, with all their experienced ones dropping dead like flies."

James shook his head patiently, "If the qualified ones are dying, how are mediocre guppies raw from training going to stop Voldemort?"

"They don't. They tire him, bore him, and wear him down and then..." Sirius trailed off uncertainly.

"And then what? Offer him cookies and tea?"

"Don't talk rubbish," frowned Sirius sternly. He paused for a few seconds, then exclaimed, "then that's when they send the elites in!"

James snickered, "Voldemort would probably have those guppies begging for mercy at his feet before they could utter a spell. He'd torture them until they either died for being useless, or died refusing him information OR come to his side."

"Oh. Right." Sirius said lamely.

"And we all know most of them would rather join his side. "

Peter, who had been listening fascinated before this, suddenly piped up, "Why?"

Sirius rolled his eyes impatiently, "Because that's what Voldemort does, nincompoop."

Peter scowled at him before turning back to Remus and James, "No, I mean why would they join him if they're supposed to be fighting against him?"

From the darkness of the corner, James, who was staring out the window replied gravely, "Most would rather pay service to him and sacrifice thousands of innocent people, even their loved ones, simply to save their own worthless scumbag lives. They'll stand waveringly by the side that they think is most powerful, can ensure victory and can promise them instant glory."

"Isn't that safe? They'll never be at a disadvantage," asked Peter in a feeble whisper.

"Maybe," James darkly uttered, "but it's disgusting. It's complete cowardice."

Peter stared at James fearfully; there was awkward silence as not one of the boys dare make any noise. James was sitting deep in the shady corner by his bed, breathing deeply. The touchy conversation had obviously stirred him into a state of deep contemplation and Peter sensed that it was he that caused it. Extreme tension hung in the air like a strong perfume; Remus closed his book promptly and drew the curtains to his bed shut. Sirius just sat there immobile on his bed, legs crossed, eyes locked straight into the corner where James was sitting. Finally, following 10 minutes of stillness, Sirius could take it no longer. He had never forced himself to be silent for so long.

"Hey Prongs?"

There was no response.

"Yoo-hoo, James."

Still nothing.

"Oi, Potter!"

"What!?" demanded James with a slight edge in his voice, sounding irritated.

"Oh, so you answer when I call you the way Evans does."

"What is it that you want, Sirius?" growled James more harshly.

Sirius had no idea why he had called James, but he felt he had to fill the silence, so he said the first thing that came into mind as he looked down at his boxers – watching the bludgers fly about, "Quidditch Practice is tomorrow, right?"

"Yes."

"On the Quidditch Pitch?"

"Of course."

"At 5am?"

"Go to bed, Padfoot." Sighed James with a finalizing tone. He rolled onto his bed and shut his curtains with a hasty swish. Sirius just shrugged and grabbed his pajamas from off the floor.

It was still dark.

A single small figure was poking about, trying to find her belongings in dim room; she was relying on the soft glow peering through the nearest window to her bed to see her way around. Once she had located al l her things, she tiptoed over to the bed on her left. She tugged at the curtain and bent over her sleeping friend. Kaitlyn was sleeping face down, with her face buried into her pillow. How odd, thought Mai curiously. Pushing the thought out of her mind, she prodded Kat's side and received no movement. "Katie... Hey Kat... It's time for Quidditch Practice... you wanted to come remember?" Mai whispered while shaking Kaitlyn gently.

This time, Kaitlyn turn her head slightly to the side to mumble, "Already? But first, I need to shower.... and put on something nice so he'll notice me...No... I can't go... he hates me.... I'd..." She trailed off, causing Mai to chuckle and wondered what Kat was going to say before she fell back asleep.

She picked up her things gracefully, and with a finally sweep, stepped out of the dorm door swiftly, Quidditch robes rustling behind her.
Walking briskly on the lush green, with Sirius limping furiously behind him, Quidditch Captain James was taking in the sweet September air and the cool breeze. "It feels so good, being back on the Quidditch Pitch! We are definitely going to win the cup this year," he exclaimed excitedly.

"Ow." Barked Sirius painfully, he winced between every step he took while trying to keep up with James.

"It's perfect weather, still warm enough to sweat and there's a strong wind! We can do rebuild our strength lost in the summer by flying into it and – ".

"Ouch."

"I know, it's early, but no pain no gain!"

"Ow."

James turned around to confront him, "Awe! Come on, Padfoot! Liven up! It's the 1st Quidditch practice of the season!"

"It'll be the only Quidditch practice if you're going to make all of them this early. Ow. If they don't all show up soon I'm leaving."

"Of course they'll show up! They're probably just so thrilled that they're taking extra long to get ready. Maybe they're stretching! Yeah!"

"How in the bloody hell can you be so damn chipper at this hour?" growled an annoyed Sirius, while lowering himself slowly and tenderly onto the soft lawn. He dropped his broom beside him and stretched out lazily on the grass.

"It's Quidditch! Of course I'm chipper! Who wouldn't be?"

"The rest of our team obviously..." grumbled Sirius, now chewing on a blade of grass, watching James pace back and forth anxiously.

"O hush up. HEY! There's Mai! Hey Mai! Over here!" shouted James frantically as he spotted the petite Asian girl come darting out of the castle.

"She's not blind you ass. Despite not being able to recognize my extreme charm, I think she can see our bright Red and Yellow Quidditch uniforms and your beastly hair."

"Just making sure she does spot us. No need to bite my head off, Mr. Grouchy Pants."

An elegant black eyebrow raised in response, "Grouchy Pants? That's the best you can come up with?"

"Shut up," said James without a glance at him, he was still busy waving like a madman to Mai who was nearly halfway across.

"Hey James?"

"What now?"

"Can we have tryouts for a new chaser?"

"What? You want to replace me?" James inquired blandly, assuming his friend was joking.

"No, you git. To replace Mai!"

James stopped beckoning to Mai and swerved around abruptly. "Why? Mai's an excellent chaser! Why do you want to replace her?"

"Because she's a hazard to me."

James grinned impishly, "Still bitter, eh?"

"I have a damn good reason to be."

"But she's the only girl on the team, Padfoot. I thought you liked girls," James teased wittily.

"Not if my health and good looks are at stake," sulked Sirius, rubbing the light purple patch on his cheek.

"Sorry, mate. I'm not swapping her for anyone."

Sirius just shrugged and rolled his eyes.

At that point, Mai had finally reached where the two dark haired boys were; she was puffing slightly and rather flushed, giving her cheeks a pretty shade of pink. "I am so out of shape," she mumbled to herself while still trying to catch her breath; then turning to James, "Sorry I'm late Captain, I got held up by Peeves." She stopped to look past James where she saw Sirius picking at grass on the pitch; her face twisted into a confused expression, "Where is everyone else?"

James gave a heavy sigh and tilted his head to the side tiredly, "They're not here.... yet..."

"What?! But I' m already 10 minutes late!"

"I know! I can't believe this! It's the first practice for the season!"

Sirius gave a single bark-like laugh, "Well unlike you two, normal people..." he paused to shoot a glare in James' direction, "do not rise at sinful hours."

Mai turned her raven head to glimpse at the tall boy lying idly on the grass, looking very blissfully careless. She smirked at him and said in sarcastic sweetness, "And how are you feeling this morning Sirius? Judging by you're the return of your usual witty remarks, I'd say better. Oh wonderful, you're fan club will be so thrilled that you can once again flirt shamelessly with them."

"Correction. They flirt shamelessly with me, I just react. And my heavenly body is definitely not feeling better. Ow." Sirius had finally stood up and had stepped over toward Mai proudly. She had her arms cross and her weight was shifted to one leg; her chestnut eyes were compelled to look up at the tall beater as he towered over her small frame.

Mai snorted as she looked directly into Sirius's deep blue orbs as she wickedly cooed, "Hogwarts' most eligible bachelor is temporarily out of business. All the girls will be mad with grief. Who knew Little Miss Prude Princess could be so cruel to womankind." Sirius said nothing in retort, but merely glowered at her wrathfully under his gaze. It was silent. James watched them watch each other.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, Sirius broke his gaze and snarled, "This is ridiculous. I can't play. I'm leaving to finish my beauty sleep." And a that, his muscular frame bumped past Mai's shoulder, swept up its broom from the ground and trudged away.

Mai watched his furious, slightly limping figure disappear from sight. She turned back to face James with weary eyes, "Can I leave too?"

James looked up at her thoughtfully, "Sure, but you'll be coming back for the next practice won't you?"

He received a vacant stare accompanied by an expressionless voice; "Don't expect me. Don't expect me back at all." With that she turn to leave.

Alarm swept James' face, "Mai, wait! What do you mean? You're not quitting because of him?"

Mai looked back over her shoulder, "I resign. I've had to endure his bloody conceited ego for far too long. I don't know how you put up with it, but I'm not going to anymore." Her petite figure continued to head back towards the castle.

James looked panic-stricken, "Now, hold on! Wait up a minute!" He rushed to claim his broom before jogging hastily to catch up to her. "I apologize for Sirius' behavior. He doesn't mean to say the things he does. He woke up on the wrong side of the bed today, he's been grumbling since he got up," James tried urgently to explain.

"I suppose he wakes up on the wrong side of the bed everyday then," Mai marched on dynamically, not straining her neck to look over at him.

"No, what I mean is...er....ok, I do admit that he is conceited and pigheaded. But you have to understand that he loves positive attention because he lacks it at home. And he has a reputation to keep up too! He says those things because he feels that he needs to for him stay the top dog."

"Reputation or no reputation, he has not right to go around and insult people as he pleases. Kaitlyn thinks very highly of him, though I'm not sure why, but she does; and all he does is treat her like dirt!"

"Please Mai. I know I may sound biased being his best friend and all, but past that entire big Macho act he puts on, he truthfully is a great person."

Mai snorted.

"Ok, fine. I guess that approach won't work." James rushed ahead of her to obstruct her path. He clasped his hands together, sank to his knees and placed his best pout on his face. "Mai, please stay because your Quidditch Captain is officially at your feet, begging for you to stay. You don't have to even interact with Sirius for the rest of your team days. I promise," James once again held his hand over his heart, this time, sincerely.

Mai looked down at him hesitantly, "What point is there to a team if we don't talk to each other?"

"Well ok. You would have to talk to him, and I guess you'd have to endure his oddities and colossal ego. But... Awww.. Please Mai. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please..."

"Okay. I get it. Stop."

James stood up eagerly, "So you'll stay?"

"No."

"What? But why?"

"Because."

"That's not a good enough answer."

"Sure it is."

"No it's not."

"Is."

"Not. Look, I really don't want to tire myself out arguing this early in the morning. Lily would taunt me for a week if I ran out of energy to fight with her."

"Would she?"

James eluded her question and scowled, "Lily would also kill me.... If I let you resign."

"Oh, so you're going to use that on me?"

"If it works."

"And if it doesn't?"

"Then I'll resign too."

Mai looked taken back, "You wouldn't?"

James grinned mischievously, "Wouldn't I?"

Mai laughed, "No, you wouldn't. You love Quidditch way too much to be able to do that."

James shrugged with a smile, "Maybe you're right. But that's not my point here."

"So what is your point?" challenged Mai.

"That you have to stay."

"I have to?"

"Yes, Mai. Please."

"Give me some good reasons to why and I may consider the thought."

"Fine. Firstly, Gryffindor would die without you. Second, I can't handle Sirius by myself. Third, you're my friend and it would suck to have to leave. And finally and most importantly..." James paused to smile before she annunciated carefully, "I'd have to hang myself before Lily comes after my head for letting you leave."

Something touched Mai, as she saw James mention Lily in his last statement. His eyes lit up, voice deepened slightly, and Mai saw his arms make an involuntary movement as if to go ruffle his hair. Mai's eyes looked at him with pity and her mouth became a kind smile as she watched his face take on a dreamy guise. She took his arm gently, "Come on, Captain. Why don't you go back inside and try to squeeze in some more sleep."

James looked at her confusedly.

"Go on," Mai urged, "I'll see if I can book us the pitch another time this week."

Comprehension dawned on his face and he nodded gratefully, "See you in class, Mai." He gave a wave strolled away and off into Hogwarts' castle. Mai eyes traced the outline of the magnificent building as a radiant beam of light graced itself on its walls. The sky was beginning to turn a soft orange and the dewy lawn was glimmering softly behind her. Mai jogged into the castle in James' footsteps.
"How was practice at the crack at dawn?" asked Lily immediately when Mai entered back into the girls' dorm. She suppressed a yawn and started to fold her bed sheets while asking, "He didn't drive you too hard, did he?"

Mai paused to think before casually replying, "Not really. It was only the first practice. James isn't that cruel."

"Did Sirius cause you any trouble?" inquired Hestia inquisitively.

A frown lingered on her brow before a slow and simple, "No..."

"Why didn't you wake me so I could come with you?" Kaitlyn demanded as she turned around from fluffing her pillow.

"I did but you went back to sleep!" cried Mai defensively.

"I did?"

"Yeah you said something about not going because he hated you and..." Mai stopped to look at Kaitlyn's horror–stricken expression, "What? What's wrong?"

"...And then what? What did I say after that?"

"I wouldn't know, you didn't finish telling me before you fell back asleep."

Kaitlyn breathed out, "Oh. Okay then."

"Why? What's so important about what you were going to say next?" questioned Hestia curiously, leaning against the bathroom door.

"Never mind." Kat looked desperate to close the subject, her eyes looked like they were starting to water.

"No, what were you going to say?" nudged Hestia carefully.

"It's not important, really. Just forget it."

Nobody said anything after that, but they all watched Kaitlyn closely as she squirmed under three coincident gazes. Mai studied her face, Hestia merely looked at her slightly amused, and Lily granted her one the suspicious looks that she always applied on James and the Marauders. After a few minutes of not being able to meet their stares, Kat finally cracked and looked up pitifully at them.

Hestia crossed her arms impatiently, "Well?"

Kaitlyn's eyes cast down shamefully. Her arms hung limply at her sides before she croaked out, "I wouldn't go because.... I was up all night crying."

Hestia looked aghast as she uncrossed her arms, "What?! Why?!"

Kat merely shrugged miserably.

"Please don't tell me that it was because of that whole Sirius thing again!" Hestia exclaimed frustrated. Mai and Lily both gave her urgent warning looks, which she jadedly surrendered to. "Fine. I'm not going to scold you...too much. Just hear this, if Sirius Black cannot appreciate you for the amazing person you are, then he is not worth your time or tears," at this, she went to go take Kat into a hug, "you're worth much more than that."

Kaitlyn broke away from their hug and smiled meekly as she looked into her friend's deep blue eyes. "Thanks," was all she said.

At that, both Lily and Mai nodded at each other and broke into grins, they rushed up to the other two and took them into one, big giant hug. And so it was a sight, four grown girls sharing a tender moment between them and truly appreciating their warm friendship for what it was.
Well that's it. You can kind of sense that James grew up a little over the summer. Not to the point where he can be considered un-prattish by Lily, but he did grow a little. Oh, and the last part is a little corny... but I had to keep it... because it has the ever so slightest of foreshadowing. Though, I don't think you can pinpoint it exactly, but it's there. Next chapter... will probably be the last chapter where all is happy and go-lucky, for a while anyway. Stay tuned....

Meanwhile, if you have suggestions for story ideas and such, please leave a review and enclosed ideas. You will be credited if your idea is used :) Cheers!

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