(A/N) Hey everybody! I'm back! I feel so deprived, considering that I haven't been on the computer in a week straight! Oh, the horrors!

(gets distracted and starts rocking out to The All American Rejects - Swing Swing)

Anywho...! Please read! I'll ramble on at the end, so you don't have to wait even longer to read the chappie!

Chapter Eight – Of Fighting and Revenge

"I'm tugging at my hair; I'm pulling at my clothes,

I'm trying to keep my cool, I know it shows.

I'm staring at my feet; my cheeks are turning red,

I'm searching for the words inside my head.

And I'm feeling nervous, trying to be so perfect,

Cause I know you're worth it, you're worth it, yeah."

Avril Lavigne – Things I'll never say

"So Alli likes Sirius?" Remus asked, not sure of what he was hearing.

Lily nodded. "At least, I think so. She said she's trying to make him jealous, so it seems pretty clear that she does."

"I thought she might." James said. "The way she looked at him when he asked Carlton."

"So this is a revenge plot?" Peter asked. Again Lily just nodded. "It seems to be working the way she wants it to." He pointed over to Sirius, who was practically ignoring the Lacey hanging from his neck as he watched Alli flirt openly with Raoul.

"Damn," mumbled Lily, causing James to jump. "This is bound to get very nasty."

"You just swore," James gasped, sounding surprised.

Lily looked at him, laughter in her eyes. "Of course I just swore. You're slower than I thought. "

"I've never heard you curse before," he told her as explanation.

"Men are so ignorant." Lily stated. "Just because you haven't heard something, doesn't mean it isn't true. I know what you think. You think that just because I'm a good student and I never break the rules that I'd never dream of cussing."

James knew she'd hit the nail on the head, but he didn't want to tell her so. He was spared the necessity of answering by Rosmerta the bartender.

"Hey Lily! Hey you guys!"

"Hi Rosie, how are you?" Lily greeted, shocking the boys. They had no idea Lily was close with Rosmerta.

"I'm good, you?" Rosmerta asked.

"I'm fine," Lily said unconvincingly.

"Come on Lil, I know you're lying." Rosmerta said. "Something's up with you, and with Alli. What's going on?"

"It's a long story," said Lily, obviously trying to avoid it.

"Well then," Rosie said. "I'll bring drinks and you can tell me when I get back. Butterbeer for everyone?" There was a round of yes's around the table. "Right, be back in a few."

"I didn't know you were close with Rosmerta." James said.

"Yeah," Lily said. "She's kinda like a sister to me, Alli and Julie. She knows all about us. We come here to hang with her every summer vacation, and whenever we get the chance during the year."

"Uh, guys? Sorry to interrupt, but I think this so-called 'war' just got worse." Peter told them, causing everyone to look towards Alli and Sirius and their dates.

Sirius had responded to Alli temptation by trying to make her jealous as well. He was now cooing things in Lacey's ear, while his hands rubbed her shoulders. She appeared to be enjoying this very much. Alli's retaliation was to scoot closer to Raoul, who took the opportunity to snake his arm around her waist. When Lacey climbed into Sirius' lap though, it seemed to be the last straw. Alli put a hand on Raoul's shoulder and kissed him.

Sirius' jaw dropped, and Lacey didn't even notice. Rosmerta, who was walking over to Lily's table with the butterbeer, nearly dropped them when she saw.

"What in Merlin's name was that?" She asked Lily, quickly setting the tray down before it fell.

"That was Alli's revenge," Lily said simply, taking a drink of butterbeer. "Have I ever mentioned how horrid it is to be on the receiving end of one of Alli's revenge attempts? It's not very pretty."

"Did you see how low Sirius' jaw fell?" James asked.

"Did you see how oblivious that airhead is?" Remus asked, causing everyone to laugh.

"Why is Alli trying to get revenge on Sirius?" Rosmerta asked, sitting down on the bench next to Lily.

"He asked out some blonde bimbo." Lily told her.

"So our little Alli is jealous, is that it?" Rosmerta asked, grinning.

"Basically," said Lily.

"And Sirius only asked out Carlton out to prove to James that he 'didn't like Carter.'" Remus told them.

"Well isn't this quaint?" Rosmerta said. "They both like each other but they won't admit it. This isn't going to get them very far. Maybe they need a matchmaker."

"I think they can do it on their own." Lily said quickly. "They don't need our help." James got the feeling she was trying to avoid something again, but this time he had no idea what it was. Why would she want to avoid setting up Alli and Sirius?

XXXXXX

"Hey Alli?" Raoul asked when they'd broken apart.

"Yeah Raoul?" She replied.

"Does you going out with me have anything to do with Sirius?"

Shit, Alli thought. Raoul's smarter than I realized. I can't tell him that I'm using him. He is a nice guy, and I don't want to hurt him, just go out with him long enough to make Black jealous.

"Why would you think that?" She asked, trying to sound convincing.

"Well, there's only the fact that he's over there with his jaw down to the ground staring at us." Raoul pointed out.

This time Alli didn't have to act convincing. "He is?" She gasped, and turned. Sure enough, Sirius was gaping at them, paying no attention to Lacey. As soon as he saw Alli looking at him, he quickly closed his mouth and looked away.

"Wow," Alli sighed, shocked.

"Does he like you?" Raoul asked.

Alli looked at him. "I'm not sure. He didn't seem to."

"Do you like him?"

Alli jumped about three feet. "No! I don't like him! He's a womanizing ass, and he has no respect for any girl, whether he's going out with her or not."

Raoul looked at her curiously. "Y'know, he's not as bad as you seem to think he is. I've spent time with the Marauders, and Sirius may be a bit strange but I think he's genuinely a good person."

"Probably not 'just a bit.'" Alli said, making him laugh. "I'll be right back."

Alli went to the ladies room, and collapsed on the edge of the sink. "What the fuck is wrong with me?" She moaned, slowly shaking her head. "I'm suddenly in love with someone I've know half my life, and I've already fucked everything up. Why did I have to kiss Raoul? Why?" She banged her head on the counter, the loud thump echoing around the small bathroom. "I mean, he's not a bad person, I just don't really like him. What was I thinking? I'm making myself look like some kind of jealous bitch."

She sat there for a few minutes, breathing deeply. This was particularly deep shit she'd gotten herself into this time. She'd been in bad situations before. Like the time her older brother Erik had hung her bras up on a line in the Gryffindor common roomwhen she had told their mother that he wasn't doing his homework because he was snogging a different girl every week. That had been third year, when she still talked to her mum about things. And she had only told her mother because Eric had lied and told James that she liked him. The whole thing had been horrifically embarrassing. But even that felt trivial compared to what she had to deal with now.

It was summer, and she was fourteen. She, Erik, James, and Sirius were climbing the few very tall trees in the Potters' backyard. The tallest one was probably about 30 feet up, and Alli had always wanted to climb it, ever since she was little. She had this wild streak in her, one that her parents often said they had no idea where it came from. Erik had gone inside to get lemonade from the house elves and Alli took the opportunity to run over to the tree and begun to climb.

"Alli, get down!" Alli hadn't expected anyone to want to stop her. In fact, she'd thought James and Sirius would help her, so she nearly lost her grip from shock at Sirius' voice.

"Oh come on Sirius! You afraid I'll get hurt or something?"

"You know Erik'll be pissed if he sees you." Sirius hissed loudly. "Just get down."

James, however, had been on Alli's side. "Oh come on Padfoot. Live a little. You suddenly lost your Marauder spirit?"

Sirius shook his head, still looking a little nervous, which, when you stopped to consider, was a very unusual look for him.

Alli continued to climb, James cheering her on, until she stumbled on a branch.

"Ah shit!" She shrieked. James and Sirius both yelled as well, causing Erik to come running out of the house, drinks forgotten.

Alli held on to the branch above her with all her might, but unfortunately, luck would have it that it snapped, and she fell. Sirius quickly sprung into action, pulling out his wand and using a spell to slow her down. Erik caught her in his arms before she could hit the ground and James ran up to make sure she was ok.

She had been so caught up in the moment, Alli remembered, that she hadn't even looked around for Sirius. She vaguely remembered the ministry owl flying up to where he was standing behind them, probably carrying some kind of warning about the underaged use of magic. She had thanked him later on, but he just nodded and avoided talking. He had taken that notice from the ministry, and not said a word.

"Maybe he really is a good person, like Raoul said," She mumbled to herself, before she remembered the present happenings. "Oh shit! Raoul!"

She raced out of the bathroom and back to where Raoul was sitting patiently. "Sorry I took so long. I ran into a friend, and she talked my ear off." Alli lied, sitting down next to him. He nodded, luckily believing her.

"You've been missed." He said, smiling slightly.

"Then I should feel appreciated, I suppose," she asked.

"Quite."

"So, what did I miss?"

"Well…"

XXXXXX

"Would you look at that?" Remus breathed, causing Lily, James, Peter, and Rosmerta to look over. Sirius had gotten up from the table, said something to Lacey, and walked out.

"I hope Sirius had finally gotten his brains back and left her." Peter said.

"On the contrary," Remus told him. "Sirius hasn't broken up with Carlton yet."

"How can you tell?" Peter asked.

"Because Lacey isn't in hysterics," Remus said simply. "He's obviously having second thoughts though."

"I should hope so!" James exclaimed. "I don't know why he asked Carlton. We found out their first time around that she's all flirt, no intelligence."

"I could have told you that!" Rosmerta said. "She's been here with more boys than I can count."

"I'm going after him," James said. "Someone needs to talk him out of this stubborn-ness he's been in lately."

"I would come too, but it sounds a tad bit hopeless." Remus told him, causing Lily to laugh in agreement. "Good luck soldier."

James saluted him and walked out the door after his best friend.

XXXXXX

"Hey, Padfoot!" Sirius looked up to see James coming over to him. James sat down against the wall next to him. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Sirius said sourly. James shook his head.

"Come on. Why aren't you over there with Alli yet?"

"Why? Because she's snogging Raoul Marquay, that's why!" Sirius snapped, coming off as more jealous than he'd meant to.

"Well then why aren't you broken up with Lacey yet?" James asked carefully. He could tell that Sirius was in one of those moods, where he was likely to burst at any moment.

"Because," Sirius moaned. "Just because. Carter's with another guy. Even if I were to break up with Lacey, I'm screwed anyway."

"So you're jealous?"

Sirius looked up, then nodded. "Yeah, I guess. I just hate it, seeing her sitting there with Marquay, laughing and enjoying herself."

"Now you know why I always tried to keep any of Lily's potential boyfriends away." James said. "I didn't want to feel jealous like that."

"I don't know why I'm doing this!" Sirius yelled, just wanting to haul out and punch the wall behind him. "It's like I can't do anything right! Suddenly I'm jealous of Carter, and then I had to go ask somebody else out! What's wrong with me?"

"You think it's possible you love Alli?' James asked knowingly.

"I don't know anymore." Sirius groaned. "Maybe,"

"Ok," James said slowly, resisted the urge to tell Sirius what Lily had told them. "Are you going crazy whenever you're around her?"

Sirius nodded, looking shocked. James continued. "You want her to notice you, but at the same time you want to stay invisible?"

Again, Sirius nodded.

"You try to find any excuse to be around her? And just being in her company can make your day perfect?"

Sirius nodded once again.

"Yep," James said. "I think you're in love."

Sirius' jaw dropped. "Is this how you are with Lily?" He asked.

This time James nodded.

"Bloody hell," Sirius moaned. "I had no idea it felt like this. All those times you would just go off, talking about nothing but Evans and I thought you were just nuts. I promise you, Prongs, I'll never bother you about it again."

"See!" James yelled jumping up. "I told you I'd get you back! I told you you'd pay! And now look at you! You're actually in love with a girl and you're trying to apologize to me!"

"Note to self," Sirius said, as James began to cheer for himself. "Never, ever make fun of James, because he'll actually get you back."

James laughed. "Come on Pads. We've got to get back. We're supposed to leave Hogsmeade in five minutes. We've got to go get Moony, Wormtail, and Lily.

(A/N) Well, there's the chapter. Now I have a few things to mention.

I've just realized that I'm making Alli come off as a bitch. Let's set things straight; Alli isnot a bitch. Well, I guess she kinda is. She's trying to deal with these new feelings, that she isn't even sure about. Have you ever thought you could do something, but then when you try, you look really stupid. Alli's kinda experiencing that right now. I'm hoping I was able to express that with this chapter.

Oh, and the song for this one was really pissing me off. I'm not even sure if I like the one I chose. I was kinda thinking that both Alli and Sirius are trying to make the other one jealous, and appear perfect in the other's eyes, but they're failing miserably. Ah, the irony of life!

Ok, next chapter hopefully this weekend! With some Lily/James and some Julie/Remus bonding! Remember the chain reaction and review!