A/N: No, I'm not going to make you read this when it's been so long!

DISCLAIMER: Not mine! Duh! It either belongs to JKR, Aaron Sorkin, a Python or a Beatle.

Chapter 11: Revelations, Regrets, Headaches and Public Displays of Affection

James woke up feeling as if a boulder had been placed on his head. He groaned, sat up, and instantly regretted it.

"Good morning," Sirius said chirpily from the floor. James winced.

"Don't shout," he said. "Don't even breath."

"I'll get right on that," Sirius said sarcastically. James leaned over to get his glasses from the table on the other side of his bed. On his way back, he spotted some feet. He froze.

"Those aren't my feet," he said worriedly.

"No shit, Sherlock," Sirius replied.

"They're female feet," James went on, not daring to look down. Whoever it was, they were lying the opposite way around.

"Elementary, my dear Watson," Sirius said, thoroughly enjoying James' squirming. James looked down quickly. The blankets were covering her head.

"Rosie wouldn't leave the bar," he said, trying to think back. "And there was only the four girls …"

"Do you honestly think that you would be alive if it was Lena?" Sirius pointed out, playing along.

"Good point," James admitted. "And Ally and Kim …"

"Remus' bed," Sirius said. "He's not there, do you honestly think he'd be that lucky?"

"So that leaves …," James said, knowing the answer. He tugged the blankets slightly, and caught a glimpse of red hair. He swore. "Noooo," he groaned. "I slept with Lily Evans!" Sirius grinned.

"No, you twat, you didn't. You were both very drunk, so we put the two of you in the same bed," he explained.

"I didn't?" James checked.

"No," Sirius said, with a chuckle. "You wouldn't stand a chance." James looked confused.

"Wait, did you say that she was drunk?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes, James. You got Lily Evans drunk," Sirius said. "You corrupted the Head Girl."

"But not in that way, right?" James checked again.

"No," Sirius reassured him, grinning slyly. James sighed in relief. "But you did kiss her," he added. James' eyes bugged.

"What?!" he exclaimed.

"You kissed her," Sirius repeated. "And there was a bit of groping involved." James groaned again. Sirius was having lots of fun.

"I didn't …"

"Yes."

"How bad was it?"

"You're hand was up her shirt at one point."

"And she let me?"

"Oooh, pity you can't remember, eh?" Sirius teased. "Or is it all coming back?"

"Bit by bit," James said, wincing at the though. "Did I sing?"

"Stop changing the subject," Sirius said. "You felt up Lily!"

"I was drunk."

"You didn't just do it because you were drunk," Sirius said, still grinning. "Don't try to deny that if the opportunity had presented itself when you were sober, you wouldn't grab the opportunity with both hands. So to speak," he added amusedly.

"How did you come to this conclusion?" James asked.

"From almost four years of you sneaking glances at her … figure," Sirius said. "And don't deny that, either. Sometimes it couldn't have been more obvious if you used Ominoculars."

"If I did, it doesn't really mean I like her," James said in his own defence. "It's not a crime to look. Don't say you haven't."

"James, I'm an involved man now," Sirius said. "I refuse to comment."

"Involved?" James asked. "With Lena?" Sirius nodded. "It's never stopped you commenting before.

"Excuse me," Sirius said. "I resent such slanderous accusations. That is defamation of character."

"Well, you can comment on Lena then, can't you?" James teased, attempting to turn the tables a bit.

"I refuse to comment. A gentlemen never kisses and tells." Lena lay awake in Sirius' bed, grinning. She thought it would be worthwhile to listen to what the boys were saying for a bit …

"But you know all about me and Lily," James was protesting. Remus sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes.

"We all do, James," he said. "Anyone with eyes—"

"And ears," Sirius cut in.

"—in Hogsmeade last night does," Remus finished. "What are you talking about?"

"Sirius isn't telling us about Lena," James said, disappointed.

"James was commenting on Lily's … assets," Sirius shot back.

"Lily's? They're not bad, I suppose," Remus shrugged.

"Not bad?" James repeated indignantly. "They're more than 'not bad.'"

"Well, you're the one that knows them best," Remus teased. "But I think there is nicer."

"Who's?" James challenged.

"Kim's," Remus replied.                                                                          

"Kim?" Sirius asked, gesturing towards the bed where she was sleeping. Remus nodded, blushing slightly. "Since when?" Remus shrugged.

"I just think they're …," he said. "We all have our preferences." Lena held back her laughter.

"And which is yours, Siri?" she asked, sitting up eventually. The boys jumped and Remus fell off the bed. "I'm waiting," she said to Sirius, who gulped while the colour drained slowly from his face. He tried his best not to glance down at her chest; he didn't know what to say. If he said he liked hers, she might get angry … but he couldn't say he didn't … Lena laughed at his silent panic. "I'm joking, you twat," she said, hopping out of bed. Torture inflicted successfully on Sirius, she turned her attention to Remus. "Kim?" she asked.

"Um …" he stuttered. "I didn't know you were awake."

"I'll bet you didn't," she said. "Tell me, do you have this sort of conversation often?"

"No," James said. "God, my head hurts. Is that my cauldron?" he asked.

"Yeah," Lena said. "I borrowed them to brew a hangover cure."

"I love you!" he exclaimed. Just what I needed!" He reached for the ladle, but Lena stopped him.

"Oh, no you don't," she said. "Not yet."

"When?" he asked impatiently.

"When I think you've learned your lesson," she replied.

"And when's that going to be?" he asked.

"I'll let you know," she said curtly. James was about to protest, but Lily started to wake up. He forgot his indignation in lieu of the chance to tease Lily. He lay with his head at the bottom of the bed.
"Morning, darling," he whispered. Lily's eyes darted open, and she froze. Her head ached, and she couldn't remember getting into bed. Those weren't her curtains …

"Did you sleep well?" James went on. A male voice … it sounded familiar …. "I know I did, you tired me out …" It couldn't be … she turned her head slowly …

She sprang up.

"No!" she said, panicked. "I didn't!"

"You're in my bed," he pointed out.

"I don't remember anything about last night," she said, panic rising.

"Would you like me to refresh your memory?" James asked huskily. She stumbled out of bed and into Sirius' (thankfully empty) cauldron.

"James, stop it," Lena said. Lily noticed the others in the room for the first time. She couldn't believe she'd done what she did … Lena noticed her panicked expression.

"You didn't Lilz, he's just pulling your leg," she said. Lily breathed a sigh of relief.

"But then how did I end up –"

"We put you there after we knocked you out with a sleeping potion," Lena explained. Lily clutched her head.

"Was I very drunk?" she asked.

"Yeah," Lena said. "And I should point out that, though it wasn't as bad as her said, you did kiss him. More than once." Lily was speechless. Ally and Kim sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes.

"Good morning," Ally mumbled.

"'Morning," Remus replied. Lena, Sirius and James exchanged amused glances. Kim was glancing at her watch.

"We'd better get back to the dorm," she said. "The Po— other girls will be awake soon."

"Yes, let's go," Lily said, heading for the door quickly.

"She told you, then?" Ally asked her.

"Shouldn't you stay and talk about what happened, Lily?" Lena asked.

"No," Lily said quickly, and fled.

"Bye," Ally and Kim called, following her.

"Typical Lily," Lena remarked. "RUNNING AWAY!" she yelled after her. Peter and Frank sat up with a start.

"Whassat?" Peter asked, bewildered.

"Sorry," Lena said sheepishly. "I was yelling at Lily, I didn't mean to wake you."

"'S ok," Frank said groggily, rubbing his eyes, while Peter flopped back onto the bed. Lena sighed.

"I wish she'd come back and talk about this," she said.

"I really don't think that's necessary," James said, getting out of bed and heading for the bathroom.

"No you don't, mister," Lena called after him. "You two need to talk."

"Lena, I don't think we need to," James insisted. "Thanks for the concern, but we're fine. Really." He went in to the bathroom, and shut the door.

"How are we going to fix this?" Lena asked Sirius.

"'We'?" Sirius asked.

"What does that scare you?" Lena asked, smile playing on her lips.

"Trying to negotiate between them two does," he said. "I have no problem with 'we'." He kissed her softly on the cheek.

"Get a room," James called from the bathroom.

"How do you know we're doing anything?" Sirius called.

"I have a sixth sense," James called back.

"Anyway, this is my room," Sirius called.

"And please, forgive us for not taking your orders concerning our love lives since you've been sooo successful in that area," Lena added sarcastically.

"Drop it," Sirius advised.

"But—"

"You can't fix it, Lee," he said. "They have to do work it out themselves."

"Fine," she said reluctantly. "I'll drop it." Sirius grinned.

"That's my girl," he sad. Lena raised her eyebrow.

"First of all, I am, under no circumstances, your 'girl'," she informed him. He smiled. "And secondly, just because we're going out doesn't mean you can call me 'Lee.'" Sirius opened his mouth to protest. "No buts!" she went on. "I'd better get back to my room." She ladled the hangover cure into a flask and cast a cleaning charm on the cauldron. "Toodles!" she called as she closed the door.

*****

Lily lay awake on her bed, wracking her brain for any memory from the night before.

Nothing.

And her headache was getting worse the more she thought about it. Every noise seemed to be amplified a thousand fold. The footsteps on the stone stairs outside, the door opening, the door closing, Lena opening her trunk…

"What's in the flask?" Lily wondered, as Lena set it on the locker.

"A hangover cure," Lena replied, smiling. Lily sat up quickly, clutching her head.

"Quick, give me some!" Lily exclaimed.

"I don't think so," Lena said.

"Why?"

"I'll give you some when I think you've learned your lesson," Lena replied.

"But Lena, I have learned my lesson," Lily lobbied. "I'll never do it again, believe me. Please let me have some."

"Later," was Lena's only reply.

"Lee! You can't do this to me!" Lily cried.

"You're calling me 'Lee' now?" Lena said in indignation. "And I can do this to you. I could just leave it and not give it to you at all."

"Lena, you are the meanest, cruelest person in the world, ever," Lily proclaimed.

"Oh, I am, am I?" Lena said. "I spent half the night brewing it and this is the thanks I get."

"Canoodling with Sirius, more like," Lily muttered. Lena grinned.

"Not all night!" she protested.

"So are you two going out?" Ally asked excitedly.

"Yeah," Lena answered, smiling even wider.

"Is it wise?" Lily asked tentatively. "I mean, do you want to risk getting involved with him?"

"Lily, as much as I would love to sit here and listen to a lecture on wise choices from someone nursing a giant hangover, I've to get ready to meet Siri for breakfast," Lena said, pulling on her robes.

"I just don't want you to get hurt," Lily said.

"It's my choice to make," Lena said. "And I've made it."

"Lena!" Lily exclaimed, exasperated. "It's Sirius Black! You can't expect a real relationship! You can't even expect real feelings!"

"What makes you think I expect all that?" Lena asked. "What if I just want a bit of fun, too?"

"With Sirius?" Lily asked. "He won't care about you. He won't respect you. It'll be over in three days."

"Do you know him?" Lena asked.

"I know about what he did to all the other girls he went out with," Lily replied.

"I know him," Lena said. "And I know what I'm doing. I have it all under control."

"Like you had with Ritchie?" Lily snapped. She clapped her hand to her mouth. She had gone waaay too far.

"Well, that was a nice thing to say," Lena said, trying to stay calm. But her anger was getting the better of her. "Oh, and the next time you feel like giving out such productive and tactful advice, try looking at your own love life first. Swallow your pride and admit to him and yourself that you're fucking in love with him. And I'd give you the cure but it'd only go halfway to making you feel better, because the real reason you're pissed at the world is because you kissed him last night, you can't remember, and it's killing you." Lena stormed down the stairs, shaking with fury and hurt. That comment of Lily's really stung … she leaned against the wall to try to calm herself down. Someone came to the bottom of the stairs and saw her there, trying to stop herself from both punching something and bursting into tears.

"Weeney Leeney, what's wrong?" Sirius asked. Lena smiled in spite of it all.

"Someone keeps calling me 'Weeney Leeney,'" she joked.

"What's wrong?" he asked again.

"I had a bit of a row with Lily," she told him.

"About what?" he asked.

"You," she answered, smiling.

"Why, does she fancy me too?" he asked, grinning.

"No, it's not important. Are you ready to go to breakfast?" she asked.

"Yeah," he replied. "And I know why you had the row. She thinks I'll dump you after a week."

"No, actually, she reckons you'll get sick of me after three days."

"And is that why you're upset?" he asked.

"No, she said something else and it touched a nerve," she explained. "It wasn't about you, can we please go to breakfast now?"

"Yeah," he said, taking her hand. "It'll be ok," he whispered and gave her a quick kiss. She smiled and nodded. They walked out into the common room, where Remus was waiting.

"Everyone's going to be talking about us," she said, as they set off.

"Cool," Sirius replied. "There is only one thing worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." Lena laughed.

"Ah, the Oscar Wilde Sketch," she said, almost reverently. "Pure genius."

"So, shall we give them something to talk about, then?" Sirius asked mischievously.

"Like what?" Remus asked, dreading the answer.

"How are you on public displays of affection?" Sirius asked Lena.

"Please say you're shy," Remus said to her. Lena grinned.

"Is shy an adjective you'd normally use to describe me?" Lena asked. Remus groaned.

"You're not going to," he said. "Please tell me you're not going to." Lena stood on her tiptoes and kissed Sirius right there on the stairs. Remus turned away in exaggerated disgust. He noticed some first years gaping at the couple. It hadn't just been a peck, judging by the expressions on their faces.

"Sirius, stop, you're scaring the first years," he said. They pulled apart, grinning. The first years scurried on towards the Great Hall. "You've scarred them for life," Remus commented. Sirius shrugged.

"C'mon, let's go eat."

"Not only did you inflict lasting psychological damage on very impressionable eleven year olds," Remus went on, "but it's rude to do … that in company."

"We can't help it if you're being a third wheel," Lena said, grinning.

"You could try to keep your hands off one another for five minutes," he said, smiling. They entered the Great Hall, and the room immediately began buzzing with excited whispers.

"Looks like the first years told a few people," Remus noted. "Pity it ruined your big entrance." Sirius merely winked as they took their place at the Gryffindor table.

"Where are the other girls?" Remus wondered.

"With Lily," Lena answered. "And Peter?"

"Are you joking? Peter, awake before one on a Saturday?" Sirius exclaimed sarcastically.

"Why'd you ask, Remus?" Lena wondered.

"Just wondering whether they'd be down," he said.

"'They' or just Kim?" Lena teased. Remus stuck out his tongue.

"Anyone, so long as I didn't have to put up with you two acting all lovey-dovey by myself," he retorted. "I'm just waiting for you to start feeding each other." Sirius grinned.

"Good idea," he said, and held a piece of toast up to Lena's mouth. Remus groaned as Lena bit into it.

"Me and my big mouth," he muttered. "And I should have sat in between you two." He noticed that neither of them was paying any attention to him. He grinned slyly and elbowed Sirius, sending the toast crashing into Lena's nose.

"You'll pay for that one, Moony," Sirius said.

"How?" Remus wondered.

"Why, Lena," Sirius said in an astonished tone. "You've got butter on your nose." She grinned as he leaned in and kissed her gently on the nose, removing the butter in the process. Remus pushed his bowl of porridge away.

"You've turned me off my food," he announced, but again, no one was listening. "And mine isn't the only appetite you've ruined," Remus went on. "Snape and Malfoy are disgusted, too." Still they continued. "Maybe if you were to do that during Quidditch, it would be a good diversionary tactic. Ritchie's staring over—"

Lena pulled back and gasped. She tried to stop herself from hyperventilating. Sirius' brow furrowed. He'd sensed she wasn't comfortable that day in Magical Languages when Ritchie came over, and she definitely wasn't comfortable now.

"Lena?" he said. "Are you ok?"

"Is he looking over?" she asked. He nodded.

"Lena, did he do something to you?" Sirius asked. She shook her head.

"No, but – I – it's complicated," she said.

"You can tell me," he said. She glanced at the other students. "Not here, later," he went on. "But you can trust me, you know that, right?" She nodded, and attempted to regain her composure. She hated this – how even the slightest mention of Ritchie totally messed her up. She wished she could just erase him from her memory … it was already affecting her relationship with Sirius and it was barely a day old. She did want to tell him, she supposed it would be best id she just got it over with.

"Yeah, later," she said.

"Meanwhile," Sirius said, "you haven't finished your toast yet." he held the toast up once more. Lena grinned as she chewed it, ignoring the dull clunking sound of Remus banging his head repeatedly on the oak table. She had to be the luckiest girl in Hogwarts.

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

A/N: Whaddaya think? By the way, the 'Oscar Wilde Sketch' is an absolutely hilarious Python sketch, for all of you who were scratching your heads in puzzlement at that part…

Thanks for waiting and remaining loyal. I'm not technically finished my exams yet, I have one more to do, but I had free time and I said I'd get this up 'cos you've been so patient! I'm sorry for the delay, but I promise quicker updates during the summer. I'll definitely get a chapter up by Wednesday.

In it will be:

Why Lena is weird about Ritchie (finally, I've been talking about it for ages)

Lily and James

Quidditch training

And some Beatles bits … by the way, I've become a huuuugggggeeeee fan of the Fab Four!!!! It hasn't helped that I saw Paul play LIVE in Dublin 2 and a half weeks ago!!! There are no words to describe the feeling of watching a legend play right in front of you … but he didn't seem legend-y, he was so real …. Anyway, when you review, tell me your favorite Beatles song!!!

Review!!!!!

Please?