A/N: Hi!!! Here's Chapter Seven! I hope you like it …

DISCLAIMER: JKR owns it all. Oh, and I forgot to give the genius writers of Blackadder credit for the 'wibble' bit last chapter. I watch it so much it's become part of my vocabulary and I didn't even notice it sneaking in. there's probably loads of Python and West wing in this chappie, too. And don't forget Blackie!!

Chapter 7: Meringues, Frills, Knotted Hankies and Wigs

The next morning, Lily and Lena left for Hogsmeade earlier than the rest of the school, and dressed in Muggle clothes. When they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, there were very few people there. As they went to leave, someone called Lena.

"Helena, is it?"

Lena turned around and saw Mrs. Black standing behind her.

"Call me Lena," she said, smiling.

"No, I don't think I will," Mrs. Black said coldly.

"Sorry? " Lena asked, confused. "Is there something the matter?"

"Yes. I heard you've been becoming friendly with Sirius," Mrs. Black said. "I know your mother. Stupid Muggle-lover. Yes, I know about your father. Disgusting, really, what some of our kind will consort with." Lena felt her face flush.

"Yes, but let's leave your friends out of this, shall we?" she retorted.

"Don't get cheeky with me, half-blood!" Mrs. Black said.

"Or what?" Lena said. "You'll attack me? Oh, I'm scared. C'mon, Lilz, lets go." Lena made to walk out the door. When they were out on the Muggle street, Lily tried to calm Lena down.

"Ugh! She's just so ... I hate her!" Lena exclaimed.

"Don't pay any attention to her," Lily said. They hopped on the underground, and in ten minutes they were at the dressmakers.

"Hi, I'm Lily Evans, I'm here with Petunia Evans," she told the receptionist.

"Ok," the receptionist said, looking up. She started a little when she saw Lily. "Your eyes are so green!" the receptionist exclaimed. Lily blushed. "Sorry, they just startled me. Walk this way."

"If I could walk that way –" Lena started, but Lily stopped her. The receptionist took them into a room where Petunia was trying on the ugliest wedding dress either of them had ever seen. It was a very frilly and puffy affair, with lace and fake gems everywhere. Lena and Lily exchanged amused glances. Petunia looked over and sniffed.

"Oh, you're here," she said disdainfully.

"Hello, 'Tuna," Lena said. ('Tuna was Lena and Lily's nickname for Petunia, if you said it really fast, she couldn't tell you were calling her a fish). "Erm ...nice dress." Petunia swelled with pride, making her look even more like a meringue. Even though she hated Lily and Lena, a compliment was a compliment. A lady came in and handed Lily a disgusting puce dress, and asked Lena to help her fit it on. Giggling, the two girls tried to get on the frilly nightmare.

"Could you please act your age?" Petunia asked haughtily. Lena giggled again.

"Lilz, just think, some day you'll be trying on your own dress," Lena said.

"And you won't?" Lily asked.

"I might be," she said. "But it's not like I have a soul mate, like you."

"And who's my soul mate?" Lily said,

"James Potter, duh," Lena said.

"You don't have much intuition if you think I'm marrying him," Lily said. "In case you've forgotten, I hate him."

"Keep telling yourself that," Lena said.

"What are you talking about 'I don't have a soul mate'? What about Sirius?" Lily asked. "If you two aren't made for each other, there's no such thing as a soul mate at all."

"How about you, 'Tuna?" Lena said, changing the subject. "Is Vernon your soul mate?" Petunia didn't answer. Apparently, the idea of a 'soul mate' was too like magic for her.

"How do you even know if he's a soul mate or not?" Lily mused. "Are you meant to feel something in the pit of your stomach or what?"

"You know," Mrs. Evans said, walking into the room. "You can tell it in his eyes. It's a feeling, you know. It's … magic."

"Hi, Mrs. Evans," Lena said. "Lily doesn't believe that James is her soul mate, but he is."

"He isn't," Lily insisted.

"James who?" Mrs. Evans asked. "Not James Potter?" Lena nodded. "Then I have to agree with Lena."

"Mum!" Lily exclaimed.

"Sorry, darling, but you do talk about him a lot," her mother said.

"That does not mean I like him," Lily said.

"I have to go back and talk to the designer again," Mrs. Evans said.

"I suppose you'll want something like this when you get married," Petunia piped up from the corner.

"No, Kim got my wedding robes all planned out," Lily said. "And you got the groom, Lena."

"We're all set, then," Lena said, smiling.

"Wedding what?" Petunia asked.

"Robes," Lena said. "Wizard clothes." Petunia made a face.

"You're not going to marry one of those are you?" Petunia asked

"Yes she is," Lena said. "Ja—"

"Lena will marry Sirius Black," Lily interrupted.

"I don't think Siri's the marriage type," Lena said.

"Do all your type have strange names?" Petunia asked.

"Yeah," Lena said. "Albus, Severus, Dedaldus. There's even a third year named Vernon." Petunia chocked slightly at this.

"Vernon is a normal name," she said. "I don't know why one of your kind has a name like that." Lily and Lena grinned.

"So what are you going to name your children?" Lily asked her sister.

"Dudley," she answered.

"Dudley Dursley," Lena said, stifling a giggle. "That's not weird at all."

"I'm calling my first girl Harriet," Lily announced.

"Hmm … Harriet Potter. Perfect," Lena teased.

"What if it's a boy?" Petunia asked.

"I severely doubt my first girl will be a boy," Lily said. "If it was, it would actually be a boy."

Soon afterwards, they were walking down Oxford Street prepared to do some serious shopping! And they did. They bought clothes, records, make up and everything imaginable. Then it was time to head back to Charing Cross Road, and through the Leaky Cauldron. Lily was sure Lena had forgotten all about her dare from the night before, but Lena reminded her on the underground.

"We have to go to the tattoo parlor before we go back," Lena said.

"You're actually going to go through with this?" Lily said.

"Yes," Lena replied. "It'll be cool. I'm getting a phoenix here," she said, pointing to her hip.

"You're a looney," Lily said.

*****

Sirius sat down at the Three Broomsticks and handed out the Butterbeer. A swooshing sound from the fireplace heralded the arrival of Lily and Lena. Lena, Sirius noticed, looked very excited and her face was flushed.

"Lily! Lena!" Sirius shouted. "You're back! Did you have fun?"

"Hi," Lena said, sitting down. "Yeah, we did."

"Whoa, did you shop much?" Remus asked, looking at the millions of bags the girls were carrying.

"Not nearly enough," Lena answered. "Listen, we'd love to stop and have you buy us drinks, but we have to dash. Bye!" she said, and they left.

"Lena White giving up the chance to spend time with Sirius Black? Something's up," Lily said.

"I want to show the girls our clothes," Lena said. "And tell them about 'Tuna's dress." Up in their dormitory, Ally and Kim 'oozed' and 'ached' over their purchases and laughed themselves silly over the description of 'Tuna's dress.

"I wish I could have seen you in that puce dress," Ally said.

"Well, there's always the wedding photos," Lena said, then ran to get away from Lily. Lily caught her, however and tickled her stomach.

"OOOOW!" Lena shouted, and Lily stopped.

"Oh, sorry!" she exclaimed. "I totally forgot!"

"What's wrong?" Kim asked.

"You should know," Lena said mischievously. "You dared me to do it."

"You didn't!" Ally and Kim exclaimed in unison.

"I did," Lena said.

"Let's see, then," Kim said. Len lifted her shirt so that they could see the tiny silver ring. "Cool!" they exclaimed.

"It's bloody agony," Lena said. "But it does look cool," she admitted.

"Can we see the tattoo?" Ally asked. Lena pulled the rim of her jeans down slightly so that they could see the phoenix, which burst into flames as they looked at it, then reappeared.

"Did that hurt?" Kim asked.

"Yes," Lily answered for her friend. "She made a lot of noise."

"You try getting something burned onto your skin and see how calm you are!" Lena exclaimed defensively.

"My mum'd do her nut if I did something like that," Kim said.

"Oh, and mine will love it," Lena said sarcastically. "It's too late now, though. I'm stuck with it." Kim had gone quiet.

"Oh, shit," Lena said. "Sorry, Kim. I wasn't thinking."

"Me either," Ally said.

"It's ok," Kim said. "You lot shouldn't have to keep quiet about your mums around me. I mean, I never knew her, really. How can I miss someone I don't remember?" Her voice cracked as she spoke.

"Don't say that. You have every right to miss her," Lily said. "Just because you don't remember her doesn't mean you don't think about her all the time. She knows that too, wherever she is." Kim wiped her eyes.

"Sorry for ruining the mood," she said. "Did you meet anyone in Diagon Alley?"

"Not really, only –" Lena started, and then smacked her forehead. "Oh my god, I have to owl my mum!" she exclaimed.

"Why?" Lily asked.

"To tell her what Siri's said," Lena said, taking out a quill and parchment and writing a letter. "I'm going to the owlery," she called, heading out the door and down the staircase. She had barely walked three steps before she collided with someone. It was Sirius.

"Ooh, who's being a naughty boy and sneaking up the girl's staircase?" Lena said.

"I was just coming to see you, actually," he relied. "Why'd you run out of the Three Broomsticks like that?"

"Oh, it's nothing to do with you," she reassured him. "I wanted to show the girls all the things I'd bought." Sirius looked relieved. "Aww, you thought I was avoiding you. Don't worry, I'm not sick of you, yet," she said, ruffling his hair. "How did you get up here?"

"Oh, we Confounded the stairs into believe that we're aloud up ages ago," Sirius said. Lena shook her head, grinning.

 "C'mon, walk to the owlery with me," Lena said.

"Ok," Sirius said, and they set off. "Who're you owling?" he asked.

"My mum," she answered.

"Any particular reason?" he inquired.

"Yes," she replied. "Your mum."

"Huh?"

"I had the – erm – pleasure of meeting her today in the Leaky Cauldron," Lena said. Sirius groaned.

"What did she say?" he asked, dreading the answer.

"She told me that she knew that I was becoming friendly with you. Then she said some not-very-nice things about my dad," Lena said.

"Bitch," Sirius muttered.

"Siri!" Lena exclaimed. "She's your mother!"

"That doesn't stop her from being a bitch, though, does it?" he said. Then he looked straight at Lena. "Did she say anything about you?" he asked.

"Does it matter?" Lena asked.

"Yes," he answered. "Did she say anything?"

"Kinda," she said.

"What?" he asked. He had stopped walking and was holding on to Lena's arm. "Tell me, Lena."

"She called me a half-blood," Lena said. "She said it like it was some sort of disease."

"Lee, I'm so sorry," he said. "She's a cow. I don't care about your dad; he's fun, way more fun than my dad. Please don't listen to her. You know I don't think like that about—"

"I know Siri," Lena interrupted. "It's ok."

"How did she know?" Lena wondered.

"Regulus," Sirius spat. "My brother."

"You have a brother?" Lena asked, surprised.

"Yes, he's in sixth year Slytherin," Sirius said. "Regular little mummy's boy. Git."

"Are you ok?" Lena asked. He nodded.

"Sorry," Sirius said. "It's just, well, my parents are different than yours. When I was little, my parents were never that interested in me. They never really talked to me. I was always to be 'seen and not heard'." Lena smiled. She couldn't imagine having to calm a young Sirius down

"That must've been difficult, keeping you quiet," she teased. He pretended to be offended.

"Huh, you're one to talk," he said. "Well, it was," he admitted. "Doesn't matter anyway, it's not as if I care about them."

"Aww, poor ickle Siri," Lena said, and ruffled his hair. It was so soft … she stopped abruptly, but didn't move her hand. He was looking straight at her. She held her breath. Sirius leaned in closer. He was inches apart, when …

"Look, isn't this cozy?" came a drawling voice. Sirius and Lena jumped and whipped around.

"Bugger off, Malfoy," Lena said dazedly. Snape appeared beside Malfoy.

"Snape, did you hear White's on the Gryffindor House Team?" Malfoy said.

"Really?" Snape replied. "Just how they pick their team is beyond me."

"Oh, their method is easy to figure out," Snape said coldly. "They just let Black's current piece of arse in the team."

"As opposed to the Slytherins, who just let complete arses on their team," Lena retorted, not skipping a beat. Sirius laughed and they headed towards the owlery in complete silence.

Lena's mind was racing. Had he almost kissed her? What did it mean? Did Sirius like her? Did she like him? What would she have done if he had kissed her? She didn't know …

Sirius was still angry with his mother. He's never really gotten on well with them; they'd never taken an interest in him until he got his Hogwarts letter. Before that, he had been like a trophy to them, something to bring out at parties so they could coo 'Look at our son Sirius, isn't he adorable?' Ok, so he was adorable, he'd give them that. Once he got his letter, the nanny had been sacked and they had sworn to take more of an interest in him. They were full sure he would be Sorted into Slytherin, but Sirius, for one, had been delighted when he was put into Gryffindor. His mother hadn't been too pleased. Then Regulus was put in Gryffindor and Sirius became the family leper. He had never regretted leaving, not for a second. But she had no right to say that to Lena. Both of them were in deep thought by the time they reached the owlery.

"Pinky," Lena called, and the snowy owl swooped to her. "Hello! How've you been?" she asked the owl.

"I wonder where Mary is," Sirius said.

"Why, do you need to owl someone?" Lena asked.

"Yeah," he replied, smiling. "I'm sending a Howler to my mum." Lena grinned.

"She'd love that," Lena said. "Her son sticking up for a half-Muggle."

"I don't care whether she likes it or not," Sirius said. "I'm gonna do it anyway." For a minute, they just stood there looking at each other, again. They both seemed to snap out of it at about the same time. Mary swooped over to Sirius and stuck her leg out.

"Sorry, Mary, I'm only visiting," he said. "How's life in the owlery lately?" he asked. "Getting any action?" Lena snorted. "What?"

"You're going to give him tips on how to handle girls?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied. "Have you got a problem with that?"

"No," she said, grinning. "This I have got to see."

"Ok. Mary, the most important thing with women is that you know how to treat them. See that one there—" he pointed to Pinky "— give her this." He placed an owl treat in his claw. Mary flew the short distance to Pinky and held out the treat. Pinky ruffled her feathers importantly and turned her head away. Lena burst into hysterical laughter.

"Look's like Pinky's being aloof," she said.

"Oh, is she?" Sirius asked. "Why?"

"Maybe she's making him squirm," Lena replied, grinning.

"He doesn't squirm," Sirius said. "He'll just have to try even harder." Lena wondered if they were still talking about the owls. She hoped not.

"Anyway, Pinky's going to play hard to get by delivering this to my mum," Lena said, and tied the letter to the owl's leg. She watched as the owl flew out of the window.

"Bye, Mary," Sirius called as they left the owlery. On their way back to the tower, they ran to Professor McGonagall.

"What are you two doing out of the owlery at this time of night?" the teacher asked.

"Oh, I had to owl my mum," Lena explained.

"And you, Mr. Black?" McGonagall continued.

"Oh, I had to give my owl tips on how to get women," Sirius said as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Lena tried to stop herself from laughing, and McGonagall fixed Sirius with a stern look.

"Well, hurry back to the tower," she said, and they nodded.

"She so thought we were doing something else," Lena said as they climbed through the portrait hole.

"Did you see the look on her face when I told her I was giving Mary tips?" he asked. Lena nodded, giggling.

"Why does Mary need tips?" James asked from an armchair. It was late, and everyone except the other Marauders had gone to bed.

"He's having trouble pulling," Lena explained.

"I don't know why," Sirius said.

"I have a theory," Remus put in. "Maybe it's because his name is Mary, for Merlin's sake!" Lena giggled again.

"It's not his fault," Sirius said. "There's an aloof-er in the owlery."

"What's an 'aloof-er,' and what's it doing in the owlery?" Peter asked.

"A loofah is a thing you use in the shower, and it's in the owlery because – no, wait, what is it doing in the owlery?" came a voice from the girl's staircase.

"Hi, Ally!" Lena said. "And he said 'aloof-er,' even though there's no such word."

"Oh, I thought it was weird," she said. "Wait, it still is. Do you mind if we come down?"

"No! Not at all!" Lena said. "Who else is there?"

"Kim and Lily, though Lily is refusing to come down," Ally answered.

"C'mon, Lilz," Lena said, but Ally and Kim had to drag her down to the common room.

"Hi, Lily!" Remus said once they'd thrown her on the chair. "How was Muggle London? It's your sister that's getting married, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Lily answered. She could murder the girls for making her do this. She would murder them, actually. She reminded herself that this would take Kim's mind off her mother.

"Well, did you have fun?" Remus tried again.

"We had fun shopping," Lily said. "But my sisters horrible. She hates me 'cos I'm a witch."

"How come you're a bridesmaid, then?" Peter asked.

"Mum made her," Lily said, and then smiled at the memory of the awful dress. Lena caught her eye and knew instantly why Lily was smiling. They giggled, and soon all four girls were in hysterics.

"I'm lost," Sirius said. "What's funny?"

"My sister's dress," Lily said. "It's the ugliest thing I've ever seen." She went on to describe the monstrosity.

"I'm guessing you don't like her that much either, then?" Peter said.

"Would you like someone who called you a freak?" Lily asked him. Peter shrugged. "She looks down her nose at me all the time. And it's a fairly big nose to look down. I swear, when I get home this summer, I'll really freak her out." Lily grinned wickedly. The boys exchanged shocked glances.

"What? Do you think you're the only ones capable of playing pranks?" Lena said. "We have a couple of things planned for 'Tuna."

"'Tuna?" Remus asked.

"Our nickname for her. Her real name is Petunia," Ally explained.

"Oh," Sirius said. James hadn't spoken since Lily came down the stairs. He was listening, though. He never knew that Muggles felt that way about wizards. He was well aware that some wizards hated Muggles, but the way Lily described her sister was just like an inverted Malfoy. Poor Lily. She had to take slack at school from the Slytherins because in their eyes, she wasn't a pure witch. And then she went home and got the same rubbish from her own sister for actually being a witch … He suddenly realized that he was thinking as if he actually liked Lily Evans. He reminded himself that he hated her, and tuned back into the conversation. Lena was badgering Sirius about her birthday present.

"So what did you get me?" she asked. Sirius grinned.

"That'd be telling," he replied mysteriously.

"Aww, c'mon, tell me!" she pleaded.

"No. You'll just have to wait and see," Sirius said. Lena pouted.

"What time is it?" Ally wondered. Remus glanced at his watch.

"Shit. It's 12:30," he answered.

"Bugger, is it that late?" Ally asked.

"We should be in bed," Kim pointed out.

"I could tuck you in, if you'd like," Remus said, and Kim smiled.

"Tempting, but no thanks," she replied.

"Well, you know where I am if you ever need me," Remus called as Lily, Ally and Kim walked towards the girl's staircase.

"You are such a flirt!" Lena exclaimed. Remus grinned wider.

"Are you jealous?" he asked even more flirtatiously.

"Sirius is," James remarked. Sirius, who had previously been glaring at Remus, spluttered indignantly.

"Why should I be jealous?" he asked, and then immediately felt bad. He looked at Lena, who didn't seem angry or upset.

"Exactly. I can flirt with whoever I want," Lena said. "Even you, James."

"Really?" James said. "Ok, then, show me what you've got." Lena smiled.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you," she said, raising her eyebrows. James laughed.

"She's good," he admitted. "I'm going to hit the sack. Goodnight, Lena."

"'Night, James," Lena called as he headed up the stairs. "Are you going too, Siri?" she asked. Sirius shrugged. Lena got the impression that he was upset. "Anyway, tell Mary better luck next time," she said, and he grinned.

"Oh, this isn't over," he told her. "She will be his."

"Whatever," she said, ruffling his hair affectionately. "'Night, Siri." She headed up the stairs.

*****

"James," Sirius hissed. "James! Wake up! It's Lena's birthday." He nudged him. Sleepily, James opened his eyes.

"Sirius, please. 'S too early," he mumbled.

"Get up!" Sirius ordered, and moved to Remus' bed. "Moony, move it!" he ordered. Remus sat up reluctantly. After a few minutes grumbling, both Remus and Peter were awake.

"Stop complaining," Sirius said. "You wanted to be part of this."

"Yeah, but not this early in the morning," Peter said.

"Whatever," Sirius said, "The costumes are on my bed." The boys looked at them and raised their eyebrows.

"Who wears what?" Remus asked.

"First come, first serve," Sirius said, and the four boys exchanged glances. "Let's be fair," Sirius suggested. "We'll count to three together, then run. Whoever grabs the costume first, gets them." The other boys nodded in agreement.

"One, two, th—" they started, but Peter rushed forward on two. Remus sprinted after him. Sirius spluttered.

"You big cheat, Wormtail!" he exclaimed. "Oh, well, I suppose we'll have to make do with the skirts, James."

"Great," James said, unenthusiastically. Five minutes later, Remus and Peter weren't any happier than James.

"These are worse than the skirts!" Peter exclaimed.

"At least you'll be hitting the high notes," James offered. Remus shot him a dangerous look.

"Can we just get this over with?" Remus asked. They all headed towards the door.

"One more thing," Sirius said before they left.

"What?" James asked.

"Does my bum look big in this?" he asked. James grinned.

"No. Hurry."

*****

Lena lay awake in her bed, trying to decide whether or not she felt any different now she was seventeen. She decided that she didn't. Suddenly, she heard the door to her dormitory open.

"Wow, look, the beds are all different colours," a male voice whispered.

"Good, hopefully we'll be able to figure out which one is hers," somebody else replied.

"I found it," someone whispered.

"Are you sure?" another asked.

"Look at it!" the other exclaimed. "Could it possibly be anyone else's?"

"Yeah, Moony's right, it's got to be Lena's." Lena was sitting up in her bed now. She recognized those voices. Sirius, Remus, James and Peter were sneaking around her room early in the morning. Were they going to play a prank on her?

"Lee?" Sirius said, edging towards her curtains. "Are you awake?" Well, Lena wasn't in Gryffindor for nothing. She pulled open her curtains; wanting to get whatever prank they had planned over with. When she saw what the boys were wearing she laughed. Remus was wearing very tight flares, and Peter was wearing flared dungarees. But James and Sirius were wearing floor-length skirts, accompanied by wigs. Sirius waved his wand, and music began to play.

'You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life

See that girl, watch that scene, diggin the Dancing Queen …' Lena had collapsed in giggles. The other girls in the dorm had begun to wake up, and were confused to see the four boys dancing. Sirius was holding his wand like a microphone and stepped nearer Lena's bed. 'Friday night and the lights are low Looking out for a place to go

Where they play the right music, getting in the swing

You come to look for a King …'

Lily rubbed her eyes. At first she wondered if she was seeing things, but she wasn't. James Potter was dancing between her bed and Lena's, in a dress. She got out of her bed and ran around the boys to Lena's bed, where the other girls in the room were gathering.

The boys were loving it. The centre of attention was there favorite place to be.

Adele and Sophie were squealing with excitement. Lena turned to them.

"Shhh," she said.

'Anybody could be that guy

Night is young and the music's high

With a bit of rock music, everything is fine

You're in the mood for a dance

And when you get the chance …'

Lily reached into her drawer and pulled out her camera. This had to be captured on film, for sure.

'You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen

Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine

You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life

See that girl, watch that scene, digging the Dancing Queen …'

During the last line of the chorus, James and Sirius exchanged mischievous looks, and walked forward. James locked eyes with Lily, Sirius with Lena. Then they ripped their long skirts off, revealing short miniskirts underneath. Lena screamed, and caught the skirt when Sirius threw it. James ignored Adele and Sophie's pleas to throw it to them, and flung it in Lily's direction. She glared at him, but caught the skirt. Sirius grabbed Lena's hand, and dragged her up. She started dancing, while he mimed along with the song.

'You're a teaser, you turn 'em on,

Leave 'em burning, and then you're gone

Looking out for another, anyone will do

You're in the mood for a dance

And when you get the chance …'

Ally couldn't have dreamt this. It was the funniest thing she had ever seen. Lena and Sirius were dancing, Sirius in a miniskirt and Lena in a Puddlemere nightdress.

"Happy birthday, Lee!" Sirius exclaimed when the song was over.

"Don't call me Lee," she scolded, but hugged him anyway.  "Thanks. Nice legs, by the way." Sirius grinned.

"That's not all," he said, and pulled a present from behind Lily's trunk. Lena squealed. James, Remus, Peter, Lily, Ally and Kim handed her presents, too. Lena bounced a bit, and began opening them.

"Ooh, Lilz, a Puddlemere bow!" Lena exclaimed. "Look, James!" she went on. James smiled.

"Good taste," he said. Lena unwrapped the gift and grinned. A Monty Python video, and a beaded belt. She opened Kim's gift next; earrings complete with miniature Quaffles and a book called 'Monty Python's Big Red Book: Special Hardback Edition,' which was blue and a paperback. This confused James, Remus and Peter, though not as much as Ally's gift. Along with a magical mood necklace, Ally gave her friend a pair of wellingtons, a set of suspenders and a knotted hanky. Much to the boy's surprise, Lena giggled and hugged her.

"They're so cool!" Lena exclaimed.

"Suspenders?" James asked, perplexed.

"Wellingtons?" Peter wondered aloud.

"A knotted hanky?" Remus added.

"It's the Muggle show I told you about," Sirius explained. "Ant there's this thing where old men wear suspenders, wellingtons, put handkerchiefs on their heads and talk in funny voices."

"Oh," James said. Lena grabbed James' present next; a Puddlemere poster.

"Like she needed any more," Ally remarked.

"You can never have enough, right, James?" she said.

"Right," James agreed. "Love the bed, by the way."

"Thanks!" she said. Remus had got her a pair of Puddlemere socks, and Peter a Puddlemere hat. Now only Sirius' gift remained. She opened it and pulled out a pair of Puddlemere pyjamas that were about seven sizes too big for her.

"They'll never fit," Adele remarked. Lily knew that this was the perfect gift for Lena. Lena owned 23 pairs of pyjamas, and very few of them were her actual size, she loved wearing them far too big for her.

"I love them!" she announced, and hugged Sirius. He blushed slightly.

"They are a bit big—" he started.

"They're perfect," Lena insisted, and kissed him on the cheek. He blushed more. James stood up.

"I'm going to get changed, since no-one commented on my lovely legs," he said, staring pointedly at Lena.

"There's a reason," Lena said, and he pretended to be offended. He stormed towards the door.

"You forgot your skirt," Lily said as he was leaving.

"Keep it," he replied, winking. He left and Lily glared at the door. She was glaring a lot lately. It was all Potter's fault. Suddenly the door opened again, and James came back in.

"We forgot to tell you what we're doing tonight," he said, and Sirius clapped his hand to his forehead.

"Yeah!" he exclaimed, and turned to Lena. "We're taking you four to Hogsmeade, they're having a Muggle disco tonight, in the Three Broomsticks."

"Tonight?" Kim said.

"That would involve sneaking out," Lena pointed out.

"No shit, Sherlock," Peter muttered.

"Shut it," Sirius warned him. "Are you ok with that?" he went on.

"I am," Lena replied, "but …" The girls looked at Lily.

"If we get caught—" Lily started.

"You're with us. We never get caught," Remus said.

"Won't Madame Rosmerta see us?" Lily asked.

"Rosie? She won't say anything. She never does, as long as we buy her a drink," Sirius said. "So are we going?"

"I suppose so," Lily said. It really wasn't something she wanted to do, but it was Lena's birthday.

"Yay!" Lena said, bouncing again. Sirius liked it when she bounced; he suspected it was something to do with the low neckline on her nightie … he shouldn't really be thinking like this about one of his friends. Would he look at James like that? No, but then James didn't have smooth legs like her …

"Hello?" she was saying. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah," he said quickly. "Just thinking."

"About what?" she asked.

"Nothing," he replied. "I'd better go and get changed …"

"What and cover up those legs?" she teased. "You should wear that skirt all day long."

"I don't think so," he said. "But you should change."
"Why?" she asked. He pointed to the Puddlemere crest on her nightdress. She grinned.

"Just for that, I might wear it all day," she said. 'No problem,' he thought. He stood up.

"I'm going to get changed," he said.

"Thanks again," she said, standing up. She gave him yet another hug, and he hugged her back, thoroughly enjoying it. "It was the best present ever," she whispered in his ear.

"Glad you liked it," he whispered back.

"I loved it," she told him, and kissed him on the cheek again. He smiled, despite his confusion. Was she kissing him as a friend, or more? His brain didn't seem to be in control anymore, as he leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.

"Any time," he said, then stepped back. Both of them seemed to be thinking the same thing. Had that actually happened? And why did they feel like doing it again? That was definitely out of the question, as they were surrounded by all their friends.

"Well, see you at Magical Languages, then," he said, and headed out of the room the other boys followed him, calling goodbye. Lena recovered and walked over to her bed, which was covered in wrapping paper. She unearthed the skirt that Sirius had thrown at her.

"Girls," she said, "you've got to help me." "With what?" Kim asked.

"Getting ready tonight," Lena said.

"Why?" Lily wondered.

"Because it's going to happen tonight," Lena said. "With Sirius. I know it."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: A woman with a mission. Watch out, Sirius! This was a very long chapter, to make up for the last one. The next chapter contains more Abba, and also a drinking game. And the plot makes its long overdue appearance! You know what you've got to do … Review!!!!!

Thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter!!!!

WaNdA: I got the 'wibble' from Messers. Richard Curtis and Ben Elton. Geniuses. They wrote the British comedy series 'Blackadder.' I'm a sucker for old English comedy. Python, Blackadder, Not the Nine O'Clock News, Fawlty Towers. Brilliant. Unlike Irish humour, which is mostly rubbish. (I'm Irish, btw) Thanks for the review!!

Beauty-Queen1979: Ahhh, patience, child. He he, that's what my history teacher always says. Please don't attack me with a banana; remember that good things come to those who wait. The tests were okay, thanks for asking!

Merry Christmas, everyone! Or Happy Holidays, that's more politically correct, isn't it? Well, just be merry regardless!!