Disclaimer- To be sung to the tune of 'Under the Sea' from The Little Mermaid I don't own it, me. I don't own it, me. If I owned this then I would be rich, I don't own it, me…

Chapter 6: Memories. Ugh.

Previously: When Lily had finally washed her hair, and had her long bath, she went into her dorm to talk to her friends. She was clean; hearing about other peoples' mad escapades would take her mind off her memories of the previous nights' events. They were as clear as crystal now, and she really didn't want to have to think about them, especially as her headache had come back.

The rest of the morning was spent gossiping, as there was plenty to gossip about. Gryffindors weren't shy about having a good time, particularly if it involved large amounts of alcohol. As always at these parties, there were plenty of embarrassing stories to be enjoyed the morning after, and many were of a romantic nature. Nothing like a bit of Dutch courage to help you tell a girl you like her.

Suzie was going out with Peter – not that that was news, but it was incredibly sweet. Sarah was crushing on Remus Lupin and Caroline was lusting after Sirius Black. Of course this wasn't news, either, at least to Lily, for she'd seen it coming since second year. Both Sarah and Caroline had used the loud music, alcohol and dancing as cover for some discreet flirting, all of which had to be relayed to rest of the group. However, these thrilling topics exhausted quickly, and Sarah giggled out, 'So James is free for you, Lils.'

'It's so sweet how you're together at last!' said Suzie.

'Don't think we didn't see you two go upstairs last night!' interjected Caroline, grinning mischievously. Lily was left groaning, her memories seeping through all her thoughts like water through a flannel.

Lily had gone downstairs. She had been angry. She really had been. They had dared to wake her up with a party? On a school night? Fine, well, not a school night, but a Friday! People had homework! And needed sleep! Why? For what crazy, stupid reason were they having a party?

Then a glob of jelly had hit her in the face.

She had been so shocked she had forgotten to be angry. She had seen the funny side of the whole thing when everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her fearfully, as though she were about to explode. The entire common room had frozen like deer in the headlights of a freight train.

She had tried to tell James off and had ended up dancing with him. Dancing! With James! She hadn't sent people to bed; she had joined in the party! How was she ever going to be able to tell anyone off ever again?

Some sensible-minded person, more sensible minded than she had been, had cleaned up all the food, and had set up the music.

Was it the same person? Lily mused. Who cares? I'd better find out who it was and thank them. Lord, that's going to be embarrassing. What had happened next? It was getting harder to remember. She'd been…dancing, yes, and then... and then... Remus and Sirius had brought up some Butterbeer, and something stronger, too. Firewhiskey? She wouldn't be surprised. Firewhiskey! With first years present! Sirius Black was going to wish she'd never been born once she caught up with him. No, that wasn't right. She was just as wrong as him. She'd drunk the stuff, after all.

And she had ended up hopelessly legless. At least she had had the clarity of mind to be embarrassed, and had asked James if she could sleep on his bed, seeing as he couldn't go up the girls' staircase, and she probably shouldn't brave them either in her condition... What he must have thought of her! But she had been slurring her words, so he must have known she was in no fit state to put herself to bed.

James had supported her upstairs, and she had given him a drunken kiss goodnight, of all the stupid things to do, and had fallen asleep straight away. All the while she had been flirting and basically making an idiot of herself. Oh sweet Merlin!

That was it. No more firewhiskey for Lily. Not a drop. Ever.

'James has been a very naughty boy,' burst out Sirius to the dorm room at large when Peter brought up the topic of last night's party.

'James? What about you and Hawling?' said Peter incredulously.

'Ah, Caroline, love of my life, joy of my heart, moon of my desire.'

'Moon?'

'Peter. How can you turn my professions of true love into something base and profane?'

Peter ignored this. 'So what's he done now?'

'This morning, I woke up in the common room, and came up here and there's James Potter entertaining a lady friend. It seems she never made it back to her own bed last night. And know who it was? It was-'

'Say one more word and I'll rip off your arms,' James interrupted. Sirius ignored him.

'Lily Evans!' Sirius crowed triumphantly at exposing the secret. Peter and Remus turned their heads to look at James, dumbfounded.

'James, you dirty dog!' cried Remus, as soon as he had recovered the power of speech.

'But he wouldn't have told us, you heard him,' Peter interjected, 'Would have kept it to himself! Do you call that friendship, 'cos I don't!'

'For your information, it was perfectly innocent. She got a bit drunk at the party, and I put her to bed.'

'Well,' said Sirius, 'I've never heard it put that way before.'

'You know what I mean. I couldn't very well carry her up the girls' staircase, could I? Not with you three entertaining her mates. So, I put her in my bed, and I slept on the floor. She did give me a pretty hot good night kiss, though. But even if we had… you know, I wouldn't have told you lot.'

'Ah well. Suppose it was too good to be true,' said Sirius. 'She's way out of your league, James. And she kissed you? She's always said she wasn't interested.'

'You forget, she was drunk, and you know how a drunk thinks,' said Remus.

'Oh ha ha, how frightfully amusing.'

'Perhaps she meant to kiss you. Perhaps she secretly wanted to.'

'What?' exclaimed James. 'Do you think she might actually like me?'

Remus decided to take pity on James when he saw the longing, hopeful look on his face. 'Come on James, she's liked you for ages.'

'Yeah!' said Sirius excitedly. 'She was flirting with you like there was no tomorrow!'

'I rest my case.' Remus went back to the book he had been reading.

'This calls for a plan. A plot. A cunning trap,' declared Sirius, who was slightly over-excited. 'We have to recruit her mates.'

James, slightly confused and overwhelmed, simply nodded.

Lily had gone to the hospital wing to find a headache cure, so Sarah, Caroline and Suzie were sitting in the common room discussing her less-than-discreet behaviour the night before.

'Wow!' exclaimed Suzie as she looked over to where the Marauders were sitting, 'What was going on between Lily and Potter last night? I thought she hated the parties... and Potter!'

'True, true,' said Caroline, 'But I think she forgot to be angry when she got hit by the jelly. She was definitely flirting, looking suspiciously like she was drunk,and he was flirting back, if in a slightly overwhelmed way. Poor bloke, been trying and failing to go out with her for years, and then she springs this on him.'

'So, guys, are we going to try and help what they've got going on together, or not? I kind've think that they need it,' saidSarah.

'Well, duh!' said Suzie at exactly the same time as Caroline said 'Well, nah!'

'Oh. OK. Well, before you start waxing lyrical and saying "They're meant to be" and all that rubbish, we need to meet the Marauders. This needs some careful handling, so we'd be better of coming at it from both sides. They're over there.'

Sarah stood, dragging Suzie and Caroline over to where the Marauders sat.

Well, if you've got this far, there's no need for me to ask you to read it, because, well, you already have done. But please review. I would like to hope that the little box on the right-hand side with a right arrow on it is tempting, but whether that is in fact the case or not, please review. Today's topic is mugs with captions. Do you like them, hate them, find them amusing, or, possibly, design them? Tell me your thoughts. (Something about the chapter would be nice too, though.)

Larka :)