A/N: Guess we didn't get our million or so reviews…but hey…you guys are great anyway! Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

To Our Reviewers:

LilJbg: Woo…thank you so much. Is this soon enough for you?

fwuzzfwuzz: Haha…you've got updating to do? Go do it! Not that we're liable to speak on that subject (wink).

Ilana Starr: Aw…we'd never abandon this fic. For one, we know how bugging it is when people just abandon stories. Plus, we love this fic. Haha…you and your Sirius. We love that part too. Thanks for the review.

nljfs: Haha…we admit we never thought we were exploring a new side to the idea of Harry coming back to the past by making James and the others mean to him. But hey, if you guys like it, who are we to complain? Thanks, Nancy.

Lady Lily3: Thank you. Keep reading and reviewing!

Yelene-ryudream: Aw, 'course Harry's gonna be getting the love he needs while he's in the past. Doubt Lily's going to do much about getting James and Sirius to cut Harry some slack though, she's probably going to be too lost in dreams of Jamesie dahling…haha.

Calistar Heir: Thank you! Keep the reviews coming, they make us update more often.

vampire rouge: Yeah, we haven't really made the Marauders wonder too much about Harry being there, have we? If you ask us though, most of the time, people can't be too bothered about the ones who come in new, especially when they have enough to do by themselves. Which is exactly why James and the others aren't too bothered…they have enough to do besides having to bother with Harry's sudden appearance. Anyway, thanks!

Pleione: Here you go…see what happens now.

Mrs. Hayden Christiansen: Hehe, here's your update. Thanks for the review!

crazy4thesun: You don't have to have a favourite part, as long as you review! Thanks for the review…have fun reading!

Somewhere I Belong

Chapter 10: Friendship and Fallout

James' POV:

SPLASH!

Alright, stop laughing already...I know I fell in the lake! And I admit it was all because I had my attention focussed on Patter and Evans...who were hugging! HUGGING! I mean…that's reason enough, right?

I saw Sirius glance at Patter and Evans, and I knew that he'd found out why exactly I had become so distracted all of a sudden. He gave me a knowing grin, and then extended a hand towards me to help me out.

"Come on out, Jamesiekins," he said, an amused, cheeky smile on his face, but I could see he was trying to be a bit supportive for once and not laugh out loud, and I appreciated that but was rather surprised as well. It wasn't often Sirius Black bothered to be very considerate towards anyone's feelings...more so when it came to my obsession with Lily Evans. I took his hand and got out of the lake, soaking wet, my hair plastered to my forehead instead of sticking up in all possible directions as it usually did.

"James, you know…maybe you should give up on Evans," Sirius said slowly to me. "I mean, the girl doesn't seem to be backing down one bit, and that's become more prominent since Patter's come here."

I felt a rush of hatred at the mention of Patter's name. In the few days he had been at school, he had already become one of Lily's favourite people, whereas I hadn't managed to achieve that in over five years of trying to get her to take notice of me. I didn't want to admit it, but I was insanely jealous of him. I glanced up quickly, and saw that Lily was now alone. I stared at her, thinking about what Sirius had said about giving up on her. Maybe I could have done so before, but I surely couldn't now. Something had changed. Lily's gaze flickered towards me then, as if she were trying to question herself about something, and I felt a sudden shiver run down my spine as I felt her gaze on me. My feelings for her had definitely changed- from just a teenage infatuation into something I couldn't very well describe.

"I can't, Padfoot,"I muttered as quietly as possible, embarrassed as hell at having to admit this to him.

"Huh? Why not!" Sirius looked more than just a little confused, with his forehead scrunched up as he stared at me quizzically.

"I just can't…"

Sirius looked long and hard at me, trying to figure out just what was trying to say, and I could feel my face getting redder and redder by the second, as I watched his telltale doglike smirk spread over his face all of a sudden.

"Ah. I do believe Ickle Jamiekins is in luuuurve!"

He made it sound so…bad. Sometimes I wish Sirius Black didn't know me so well. But that made me think. Was I really in love with her? Maybe…maybe not, but this was sure as hell more serious than anything I had ever felt for anyone else before. Sirius poked me impatiently in the side then, not able to stand my contemplativeness anymore, I suppose.

"Are you really that serious about her, James? Huh? Are you?" He gave me a curious look, glancing back and forth between Lily and me hurriedly.

I hesitated. I wasn't sure I wanted my feelings out in the open so sure after I had discovered them.

"Aw, Prongsie, you know you can tell me!"

"Well, yes, I guess I am then," I said reluctantly.

Sirius gave Lily and me a last glance each. He seemed to be thinking hard while staring at the ground as he walked.

"Right then, we'll just have to get her to stop liking Patter first. And then...we've got to ask Remus what exactly you should do to get her attention, because your shitty way of showing off every time she's around doesn't exactly seem to work very well."

"Hmph...thank you very much!"

"I'm serious!"

"I know you're named Sirius," I said, grinning cheekily at this very lame joke that I frequented upon because I knew it irritated him.

Sirius pushed me back into the lake. He stood over me, while I climbed out soaking wet a second time.

"Hmph...I try to help you get a girl, and all you can do is crack dumb puns!"

I held up my hands in defeat, and Padfoot carried on with his plan to get Lily to like me.

Third Person's POV:

Harry flopped down on his bed, thinking about the day's events as he stared at the scarlet canopy of his bed. It had felt nice to tell someone that meant so much to him about everything that he had gone through recently, though watching Lily's horrified expressions had been hard. Lily had been a good listener, and Harry hadn't been able to stop talking. The desperate need to vent his feelings to somebody had become too strong. The wall he had built up around himself after Sirius' death was slowly crumbling.

He stood up and stretched, realising he was hungry, and decided to head down to the Great Hall for dinner. It was still early evening, and night hadn't fallen as yet. He pushed past the hangings around his bed, and ran down to the Great Hall, joining Lily at the Gryffindor table.

He gave Lily a small nod, and almost automatically, his eyes started to search for James, Sirius and Remus, as they had the past few days. He saw that they were sitting a little away from Lily and himself, but close enough for him to hear what they were saying if he listened hard enough (not to mention cast a spell that enhanced his hearing a little bit).

"No, Moony...you are not going alone tonight!" Sirius muttered furiously, glaring at Remus, his eyes glancing from side to side as he tried to keep as quiet as possible.

"I am, and you are not going to stop me!" Remus glared back at him, looking very determined.

"Sorry Moony, we're coming whether you like it or not," James said, giving Remus a look that seemed to say that the conversation was over.

"But...but what about…" Remus said softly, glancing at Harry suddenly, and Harry quickly dropped his eyes back to his plate, hoping Remus hadn't caught him looking.

"Oh, that. We'll manage...after all, you kept us in the dark for long enough. Sirius and I will just say we have detention or something and that you're not feeling too well."

Harry wished he could just go up to them and tell them he already knew about Remus and his lycanthropy. He glanced up at James and Sirius. Noticing the way James' arm was slung casually around Sirius' shoulders, he couldn't help feeling just a wee bit jealous. It was obvious to anyone watching that the two boys were extremely good friends. He couldn't figure out who he was more jealous of though- James for being so close to Sirius, or Sirius for being so close to James.

He awoke from his reverie, and saw that James had his gaze now fixed upon Lily, and was paying hardly any attention to what Remus, Sirius and Peter were saying anymore.

Sirius glanced at James, and then exclaimed happily to Remus,"You know Remy, Jamie here says he's serious about Evans."

"Oh, really?" Remus replied, not looking very surprised, but playing along with Sirius anyway. James scowled at Remus and Sirius before returning his gaze back to Lily.

"Ever since this Evans thing started really seriously, he hasn't been paying much attention to us, has he?" Peter said in a light tone, though the look he sent Lily seemed to convey that he really meant what he was saying. Harry clenched his fists. If that git said so much as another word against his mother, he wasn't sure he'd be able to keep himself under control.

Sirius frowned. "Shut up Wormtail, James is entitled to be interested in whoever he wants. He doesn't have to pay attention to us all the time!"

Peter went red, and fell silent. James gave Sirius a playful slap, and then gave Peter's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Wormtail, I wouldn't forget you guys for anything in the world, alright? Don't listen to Padfoot here."

"But Jamiiiieeee, it's true. You're oh-so-in-love with darling Evans down the table."

Remus grinned at Sirius, a mischievous gleam in his eyes, even though he looked rather pale and peaky with the approach of the full moon that night. "Right you are, Padfoot."

"Mm hmm, when am I not?" Sirius muttered dismissively. "Anyway...I was just wondering, Jamie...when's Prongs Junior coming? You know...you & Evans...all alone...doing stuff you're not supposed to do." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively at James.

Harry started in his seat, realising he was the 'Prongs Junior' they were talking about. James flushed, and gave Sirius another of his infamous glares.

"Sod off, Black"

"Won't do, sorry Potter"

Remus chuckled softly and started dramatically waving his arms about while saying, "Ah, I can imagine it now. Messy hair; green or hazel eyes; bony arms..." He trailed off, looking at Harry...his amber gaze wide-eyed, and then shook his head, as if he were telling himself it was a mere coincidence, and looked away. Harry found himself wondering why Dumbledore had done nothing to change his appearance.

Sirius batted Remus with his hand to shut him up. "Yes...whatever. The basic problem is...who'll be godfather! Mr. Almighty Prefect here or me? You have two choices."

Peter flushed at the way Sirius had outright ignored his presence, but obviously decided it was better not to say anything.

"None of you, seeing as there will not be a Prongs Junior...considering that the girl cannot look at me without a look of complete disgust on her face"

"But you've gotta tell us Prongsie! We need to know...so that we can start preparing right now...just in case it does happen"

"He's right...there's every possibility of it happening. Weirder stuff has happened."

"Uh huh...so well...who is it going to be! Me or him?"

"Uh...both of you? I DON'T KNOW!"

Sirius and Remus grinned maniacally at each other, obviously enjoying torturing James about this. Harry thought back to the Sirius and Remus he had known in the future...and realised he had never seen them so full of life, and so vibrant. There had always been a hint of sadness in their eyes. He found that he definitely liked their past selves better.

Remus suddenly glanced at his watch, and clambered off his seat. "Right...I'm leaving now, see you guys later tonight"

Sirius, James and Peter nodded at him, secretive smiles upon their faces.

Lily jerked Harry impatiently. "Harry, will you listen? I must've asked you about five times for the pudding already!"

"Right, sorry."

"It's alright," she said quietly, her gaze flickering over James, Sirius and Peter. Harry noticed that her gaze had rested a second longer on James, and that she didn't look so disgusted anymore.

Sirius left the Great Hall, waving a quick goodbye to James and Peter, who had still not finished eating...the respective reasons being that James was far more fascinated by Lily than by his food, and that Peter never left James' side if it could be helped. Sometimes Peter got on Sirius' nerves, with the way he constantly hung around James, but he knew all James was doing was protecting Peter, because the guy couldn't bloody look after himself. Peter wasn't so bad though, he had to admit. He was just a little messed up, that's all.

He rounded the corner, excitement flooding through his body as he thought of the night that approached for Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. It was true that he, James and Peter still had the power to reason when they transformed, but Remus didn't. Many a time he could hardly remember what had happened the night before, until the three illegal Animagi refreshed his memory.

He looked around, realising he hadn't been seeing where he had been going, and noticed he was in a corridor near the Slytherin common room. He shrugged his shoulders lightly, and headed back in the direction of the Gryffindor common room. He could hear footsteps heading towards him, and the next minute he was face-to-face with none other than Snivellus...or Severus Snape.

"Why...Snivellus, how nice to see you, "Sirius drawled, a nasty gleam in his grey eyes as he straightened up to glare at Snape.

"Black," Snape snapped, in an equally cold tone. It occurred to Sirius that they had totally forgotten about pranking Snape with all the hassle James was creating over Patter.

"You could really use some shampoo, you know. That greasiness is getting out of control. I could recommend a few good ones if you liked."

"None of your damned business, Black."

"Sure it is. I happen to be in Hogwarts too, and that stench would scare anyone a million miles away."

"For someone disowned by his family recently, you sure seem to be talking a lot."

Sirius paled. Snape had hit him exactly where it hurt. Sure, he hated his family for their principles on being pure blooded, but deep down, though no one knew this, except for James, Remus and Peter, he did care for them. He yearned to have caring parents like his friends did. Sadly, his own parents didn't care about him. Not one fucking bit.

Snape sneered at him, drawing Sirius back to the present.

"They aren't my family. My family are James, Remus and Peter," he growled.

"Trust a blood traitor like you to find friends in those idiots. James Potter, indeed. What a pair of arrogant bastards you two make. I'm surprised Potter's head even stays on his head, considering how much he thinks of himself."

"Shut up about James," Sirius hissed softly, a dangerous tone in his voice. He raised his wand to hex Snape, but for once Snape was ready for him.

"Expelliarmus," Snape gave Sirius another one of his sneers, as Sirius' wand flew through the air towards him.

Sirius charged towards Snape, anger propelling him forward.

"Impedimenta," Snape drawled, and Sirius fell back against the wall. He hated this. He hated letting Snape have a go at him. He hated feeling vulnerable in any situation. It terrified him, especially after this summer.

"Remus Lupin...another one of your group. What do you call yourselves again? Ah yes, the Marauders. Merlin knows why Lupin was made a prefect. Doesn't do his duties too well, does he, seeing as the two of you still get away with everything? I wonder sometimes though- about how pale he always looks. Don't you?"

"No, I don't," Sirius furiously bit out, his anger increasing by the millisecond. "I don't need to, because I know why."

"Oh my, protective, aren't we? With the sort of shit you have as friends, I'm surprised you actually stand up for them. But your mother, oh she's a woman alright. My dad's told me enough about her. Treats you just right, doesn't she? Or she did," Snape said coldly, obviously getting back at Sirius for the numerous times he had been humiliated by him.

Sirius flinched. The pain of the Cruciatus Curse was still fresh in his mind. After all, it hadn't been too long ago that he'd landed at the Potters' residence, bloody and broken. A fresh rise of furious resentment flashed through him, and he hurled his words at Snape...wishing the greasy-haired, sallow-faced boy were dead.

"Shut up, you bastard. If you really want to know why Remus looks so pale all the time, go to the Whomping Willow tonight. Press the root and then go through the tunnel. I hope you get what you deserve."

Snape stared at him wide-eyed, looking as if he were trying to digest what Sirius had said, which was exactly what Sirius was also trying to do. Snape quietly muttered a hex under his breath, causing a nasty slash to appear on Sirius' wrist, then threw Sirius' wand to him, and walked away, black robes billowing behind him.

Sirius sank back against the wall, muttering a spell to bandage the cut Snape had just given him. He was still boiling with rage at what Snape had said. Shaking with sheer anger, he glared down the hallway that Snape had disappeared down. After glaring for ten whole minutes, he finally dropped his gaze to the floor, his anger slowly dissolving into hurt and sadness. The events of hardly a few months ago started reeling through his head, almost as if a movie were being played in front of his eyes. He closed his eyes and groaned, willing the memories to go away, but they didn't.

This summer had been the last straw. He was usually ignored most of the time at home, which was fine with him. It was better than having everyone yelling at him. This summer holidays, however, it seemed his parents had jointly decided to give him hell. They had hurled insults at him a lot before, and said a lot of stuff which he had been quite used to...but he hadn't been prepared for the sudden violence he had had to face. He had already made it quite clear to them over the years that he was completely against Voldemort and his ideals, so he supposed this had just been an attempt to either break him and make him turn over to their ideals out of fear, or to chase him away. Well, they had achieved the latter. His mother using the Cruciatus on him had driven him over the edge, causing him to pack his stuff and somehow make his way to the Potters' place, almost fainting with the exhaustion and pain. They had taken him in, and though they treated him almost as if he was their son, it just wasn't quite right. Sirius felt like a burden on James and his family. He had made up his mind to get a place of his own as soon as he was of legal age to do so.

His eyes fell moodily on his watch, and he jumped to his feet when he realised it was almost time for James, Peter and him to go to the Willow. Damn...how long had he been sitting there anyway?

Wait.

What had he said to Snape finally? Something…something about the Whomping Willow...about the knot that had to be pressed to get into the tunnel.

Oh no.

The colour drained from his face as he realised what he had done.

James...he needed James. Only he would know what to do now.

James sighed, rummaging through his trunk for his Invisibility Cloak. He suddenly heard hurried footsteps rushing up the stairs, and rose to meet Sirius-but Sirius didn't look ecstatic, like he usually did the night of the full moon. He looked as if he had just been sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban. As if he had just realised he had done something terrible.

"James...I...I...told Snape."

"Huh? What did you tell him?"

Sirius sucked in his breath, a frantic, dazed look on his face, eyes bright with unshed tears. "I told him to...to prod the root on the Wh…Whomping Willow and go through the tunnel."

"WHAT! What in bloody hell were you thinking!"

"I...I don't know," Sirius stuttered uncertainly, searching desperately for words to explain to James why he had done it, but he had a sinking feeling James wouldn't want to hear anything he had to say anymore.

"Right," James replied coldly, and Sirius quietly met his gaze, pleading for forgiveness, but saw nothing but disgust and hatred in his best friend's eyes.

James ran from the room in a hurry, and Sirius heard the sound of his footsteps grow softer and softer, until he could no longer hear them.