A/N: Well this is the 22nd chapter out of 24, and so this story's coming to an end. I want to get it finished before school starts and things get hectic once again and I don't have a chance to type or write as much as I do during the summer. Thanks much for the comments. The reason Lily didn't stay together with James was because of some form of primeval instinct sort of thing…she just wanted to be friends with him. And I have a reason for making it take place in fourth year but you don't really find that out until the end.

Disclaimer I do not own Harry Potter.

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Saturday-What was so special about Saturdays? That one-day always seemed to hold some new exciting event that made some sort of impact.

James sighed.

One week left before the St. Valentines Ball, and he had half a mind not to go. There was no reason to, after all. It would be only four hours of sitting in a corner, refusing to dance with any girl who came along, watching as Lily and Amos got closer…

…And closer…

…And closer.

He couldn't handle that.

There was a knock on the door and before he could say, "GO AWAY!" it swung open.

"I thought I locked it," he grumbled, not looking at the door.

"You should know that wouldn't stop me."

James looked up in surprise at Lily, who stood in the open doorway with disappointment on her face.

"Potter," she groaned, closing the door and sitting on the bed next to his. "You agreed that we would stay friends, and yet you're letting that slowly die."

"You haven't exactly been trying to keep the flame burning," he replied.

"I'm not going to argue that. I haven't been thinking clearly lately, and I want to apologize for that."

"Evans, I'm all willing to apologize too, but that won't change much."

"I'm not asking for your sorry's," she flared. "I just can't accept the fact that you're being CHILDISH enough to let our friendship be left in ruins."

James was shocked at her sudden anger, and so he slightly retreated. Lily saw this flinch and attempted to calm down.

"Look, James," she emphasized his name, "we're both guilty here. But you KNEW I wasn't going to be yours and only yours while I had a chance to see if there's someone…better."

James pouted.

"Ok, not BETTER," she corrected, "but more suited for me. And…well…" She let out a groan of frustration. "YOU ARE SO RIDICULOUS!" she growled. "I came in here with an entire speech nicely sketched in my mind, and ONE look at that pitiful pout and it all crumbles!"

James began laughing.

"James Potter!" Lily roared, "I just may end up killing you!" She couldn't help smiling at James's laughter, assured that everything would go back to "normal."

"So," James smiled, "can we let these past two weeks become the past?"

"You know that I'm still with Amos."

"Yes, and I can accept that," James smiled.

"So, can I leave without worrying about the cold shoulder anymore?"

"On one condition…"

"I'm afraid to ask."

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Sirius's face was red with anger. Well, the anger just made it redder at least.

"POTTER MADE ME!" Lily laughed in defense.

"He made you turn my face INTO A TOMATO?" Sirius roared.

"NO! A radish…"

And, to everyone's surprise, Sirius smiled. "You have to teach me some spells someday…Is my head really a radish?"

"No, your skin's just been charmed red," Lily replied, still wary.

"Well then, how long will it stay for?"

Lily took the charm off, just as James walked downstairs.

"A radish, Prongs?" Sirius questioned.

"You told me you hated radishes," James retorted.

"Well I lied."

James took a seat on the couch next to his best friend. Lily quickly ran upstairs.

"You look considerably happier," Remus noted. "Care to explain?"

"Evans," was all James said. The other three Marauders instantly understood.

"Women," Sirius scoffed, "they always cause problems."

"They could say the same about us," Peter quietly said.

"Speaking of problems," Remus smiled, "who is our dear Padfoot taking to the ball?"

"Why, I thought it was obvious!" Sirius remarked. "I'm taking one special Remus Lupin."

"But Mr. Lupin already has a date," Remus laughed, "and even if he didn't, I doubt he'd go with you."

"Who IS your date, Remus?" James questioned.

"Someone I had never believed would accept."

"Does she have a name?"

"Not one of importance to you," Remus mysteriously replied.

"So…looks like us three SPECIAL Marauders are going dateless," James joked.

"Uhm…I have a date," Peter blushed. "She's a Ravenclaw fourth year."

"Well then," James scoffed, "Sirius and I are the only dateless ones."

"Sorry Prongs," Sirius smiled. "But I have a date."

"And who would SHE be?" James scowled, getting frustrated.

"Since old Frank's not going to be here, he asked me to escort the lovely Alice to the ball and show her a good time."

James began grumbling something about knives and his back.

"You could try to find a date," Remus offered.

"No," James shook his head. "The only girls left are the empty-headed ones who believe their bust sizes can make up for their lack of brain."

"Funny, you never had a problem with those kind before you met Evans," Sirius commented.

James wisely chose not to respond. Deciding to change the topic, he turned to Remus. "Is there anything growing between this love interest and you?"

Remus shook his head. "Given my 'situation,' I refuse for anything more than an attraction. We're compatible as friends, so we're going as friends."

"Tell us who she is!" Sirius begged. Remus merely smiled.

"You'll find out in a week."

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Lily looked at the book in her lap. She read the first paragraph but dazed in the middle of it, so she read it again. This happened for nearly five minutes before she decided to give up for the time being.

It was 6:00 PM on Sunday, February 6, and she was in a deserted library. She had escaped for some peace of mind from all the talk of the upcoming ball. However, in her solitude, her thoughts ended up dwelling onto the ball.

Her dress had been carefully picked out (by Amelia and Alice), a hairstyle chosen (by Amelia and Alice), and a perfect schedule had been planned for the night (by Amelia and Alice).

They're overtaking my life!

She had taken pride in having kept her love to read, but she slowly realized that even reading didn't incite her the way it once had.

She was becoming the one thing she had always avoided.

The typical teenage girl

Well maybe it's time I let Destiny take me where I'm fated to be. Socially that is.

She added that last sentence as an afterthought, realizing that if she hadn't said it, she'd be allowing James to win.

But that wouldn't be SO bad.