CHAPTER EIGHT
Happy Birthday

Happy birthday, to you!
Happy birthday, to you!
Happy birthday, dear Allie!
Happy birthday, to you!

I had virtually done everything on my to-do list that Friday. I had confronted Sirius and hit one and two. I accidentally found Peter and figured out why Dad had written him, and I was pretty good and four and five. I had decided what to get Allie, and that in itself eliminated eight. All I had left now was six.

I knew exactly what I was going to get Allie, and James, as it turned out, was thinking along the same exact lines. We rounded up the rest of the Marauders and had everyone contribute to the cost of the expensive gift. James and Sirius, being from wealthy pureblood families, contributed the most money; Peter and I got a fair amount of allowance from my dad so we made up most of the rest; and Remus, the least well-off of the Marauders, added what he could. On that weekend's Hogsmeade trip, Sirius and Remus snuck off to purchase it while we took Allie on a shopping spree at Honeydukes. Then we treated her to a small party at the Three Broomsticks, during which we carved all of our names into the top of "our booth" with Sirius' magical knife. He assured us that the magic of it would make the signatures permanent – they may fade, but never go away completely. At first we were going to make our mark on the bottom of the table where it would be inconspicuous, but it clearly became obvious that this was a horrid idea:

"Crikey, I dropped an earring!" I exclaimed seamlessly, letting the stud fall underneath the table. I ducked under and carved my name in the table.

"Oh, I dropped my quill!" Allie slipped beneath the table.

"Hell, I dropped my pants!" Sirius had his belt undone by the time we could stop him and we decided to just get it over with and carve it on top of the table. We'd take whatever punishment Rosmerta would think to cook up for us later when she discovered it.

So we signed our table. Rosmerta actually walked up behind us as Allie was putting the finishing "bad-ass" touches on her signature. We jumped and Peter made to "nonchalantly" cover the signatures – basically by open-spreading his fingers over them and whistling innocently. Rosmerta actually laughed and set down the tray of butterbeers she was carrying. Holding her hand out for the knife, her mouth curved into a smile that I know the boys were fawning over just then. Instead of taking it away and reprimanding us, she bent down and carved two more words:

"RESERVED FOR"

She handed the knife back to a gaping Sirius. "Now, if I ever catch any of you six vandalizing my property again, I will have you thrown out." She picked up her tray and proceeded to a booth farther back in the pub. We all stared around at each other before we burst out laughing, ending up falling out of our seats and tearing up.

We probably deserved the disgusted looks Narcissa Black and her friends were giving us from a few tables over.

xoxox

So we woke up the next day far earlier – around five in the morning thanks to Sirius's brilliance – than Allie and got to work decorating the common room for her. By seven we were finished and the common room was unrecognizable. Every surface was now colored orange, including the all the portraits, whose occupants were looking rather scandalized. There were orange streamers hanging from everything possible, and orange confetti littered the ground and furniture. The Marauders had died their hair orange – with a little resistance on Moony's part, but Sirius "convinced" him – and transformed their robes to a striking orange.

Ah the loyalty of friendship. These guys should have been in Hufflepuff.

By eight-o-clock, when Allie finally decided to make her appearance, James and Peter had fallen asleep on the floor embracing one another quite fondly. It was priceless. I snapped a quick picture for posterity – and blackmail – before turning at Allie's scream-squeal as she stepped onto the plush orange carpet.

"Happy birthday!" I screamed, running at her and tackling her. James and Peter quickly woke up and jumped apart with looks of horror, before James swept her up, spun her around, and kissed her quite passionately. Sirius and I, accompanied by a couple of the small group of onlookers in the entirely orange common room, catcalled and jeered for the whole minute they were in liplock. Finally they separated and the rest of the guys came forth to give her hugs, before I leaped on her again. "You're seventeen, you old hag!"

"Hey!" she exclaimed. "Sirius turned seventeen the first day back! He's older than me!"

"Yes, but he's far too handsome to be a hag," I stated quite seriously.

"Yeah, you're the hag of the group," she shot back, before breaking into a broad grin.

"You're only getting away with that because it's your birthday."

"I know. Now, where are my presents?" She glanced around, but amid all the orange her presents blended in and she couldn't se the stack stashed under a table.

We dragged her over and Peter pushed the pile out. There were the typical things, such as books, chocolate, and (from James) a rather expensive looking diamond choker – complete with black ribbon so as to fit in with her dark motif. But at the bottom of the pile, deliberately placed so, was a long, thin package. She gasped when she saw it, before the wrapping was even off. I squealed, grinning wildly.

"Open it!" I exclaimed.

She tore off the orange paper and out rolled a Nimbus 1700 – the very, very latest model.

"Oh…my…GOD!"

She began to scream, which cause many people to come tumbling out of the dormitories wondering what was the matter. James and Sirius both jumped and clamped hands over her both, Sirius getting there first. After a second, she calmed down, eyes welling up with excited tears but none falling. It was the closest I've ever seen her come to crying and it frightened me a little.

Okay, a lot.

"Allie…?"

"Oh my God, you guys, this must have cost a fortune!" she gasped.

"Yeah, well, we pooled our money," Remus said, looking just as unnerved as I was.

"How can I repay you guys?"

"Go out there and kick some ass next game!" James exclaimed.

That seemed to bring her back to normal and she smiled rather wickedly, though her glossy eyes seemed to slightly dampen the effect. "Calysta will regret ever thinking to curtsy."

And so ended the opening of presents. The day was filled with light partying and eating of cake until Sirius procured a large amount of fire-whiskey that evening. We all drank; even Moony broke his vow of sobriety and had a few shots. Let's just say, after that things got very interesting.

"Are you happy to be seventeen? James asked, stumbling slightly as he crossed his bedroom, pulling his orange sweater over his head before tugging his dresser drawer open.

"I suppose," I sighed, watching him from my place on his bed. I heard my words slur slightly and regretted – just a little bit – the amount of firewhiskey I'd drank. I'm the first to admit that I'm a certified lightweight. "It's not a terrible lot different than being sixteen, honestly."

"Well, now you can Apparate and you're technically an adult," James turned, leaning against his dresser and holding a wife beater in front of him.

"I suppose," I nodded, not bothering to look away from his muscular Chaser arms and toned chest. What? I was drunk.

"You don't have to finish school," James pointed out, looking at the shirt in a confused manner.

"Forget how to put that on?"

"I think so," James replied, nodding slowly as he continued watching the shirt. "I mean, no, but… I don't know what I'm talking about."

I let out an amused laugh and managed to get to my feet, staggering over to where James was standing. I took the white garment from him and pulled it over his head. He reciprocated by pulling his hands through the holes of the shirt, then gave me a grin once we were finished.

"That wasn't too hard, was it?" I asked, returning the smile.

"I suppose not," James nodded, leading me back to his bed. We had drunk the official amount of alcohol that induced a snogging session between members of a relationship, hence why we were hiding in his dormitory. Nat and Sirius were busy with each other in the common room – I can just imagine Remus's face – so we weren't terribly worried about anyone finding us fully clothed and only talking in a drunken manner a flight of stairs above them.

James sat down, his back resting against the headboard of his bed, and I fell between his legs, my head resting on his chest. With a great sigh, James wrapped his arms around me.

After a moment's silence, James cleared his throat asked, "Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did."

"You know what I mean, Allie."

I chuckled and said, "Go right ahead."

"You liked your gifts, right?"

"Merlin, of course I did!" I exclaimed, looking up at him. "But, you know, you didn't have to get me so much. I mean, the choker and helping with the broom?"

"I think of the broom as an investment," James joked. "If you don't win us the Cup this year, I'll just take it back." He paused, then gave me a questioning look. "And the choker – you like it?"

"It's gorgeous," I nodded, bringing a hand up to where it was around my neck. I ran a finger along the diamonds, scared to ask if they were real. Knowing James and his family, it was probably authentic, but I didn't want to be knowingly spoiled that much. "I love it."

"Good," James leaned his head back again, pleased with my response.

I melted back into his chest, glad to have him for a friend. I thought back to that rather passionate kiss he had given me when I came down to the common room. I had been shocked that he was willing to do something like that in public, but wasn't about to turn it down. There was a small part of me that was hoping maybe, just maybe, he was starting to feel those things I've been feeling all these years.

"Can I ask you a more personal question?" James asked, bringing me back from my thoughts.

"I don't see why not," I agreed, bringing my hands to rest on top of his.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to," James babbled, dancing around the question. "It's just that we've never talked about things like this and - "

"James," I interrupted with a small laugh. "Let's have it."

"Are you still a virgin?"

"What?" I asked, surprised.

"You know," James let out a breath, his chin resting on the top of my head. "Have you ever shagged anyone."

"I know what you mean – I was just shocked," I rolled my eyes, still a bit flabbergasted. "Do you really want to know?"

"You don't have to tell me."

"It's just…sort of embarrassing," I admitted, swallowing hard. "See, the summer before our fifth year I had come off of a bit of a sticky relationship - "

"Theodore Dawson, right?" James spoke up, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I helped in the hexing."

"Glad to hear it," I commented. "Anyways, over the summer I spent a week at Remus's house - "

"Bloody hell," James interrupted. "Moony?"

"Hence why I don't like talking about it," I winced. "Basically, we were both fifteen, a bit curious, and well – the rest is history, as they say." I paused for a moment, then added hastily, "It only happened once. It just didn't feel right. We're not particularly proud of it."

"Wow," James breathed, shifting his weight slightly. "I can't believe Moony isn't a virgin."

"Believe it."

"That's mental."

"Is it really that hard to believe?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"A bit," James admitted. "I mean, you two have known each other since birth basically."

"Yes, well, what can you do?" I sighed, wanting desperately for this conversation to be shifted off of me. "What about you?"

"What about me?" James asked dumbly.

"You know what I mean."

"Once," James tightened his grip around me. "It was over this past summer while my parents and I were in France. Her name is Nanette and she didn't speak a word of English."

"Do you speak any French?" I asked, a bit amused.

"Not much."

"That's a touching story, James."

"Can I ask you something else?" James asked, obviously trying to change the subject.

"'Course," I replied, then regretted it slightly.

"Have you and Nat ever regretting being friends with us?"

I felt myself sober up momentarily, not expecting the question. "Of course not."

"I was just thinking, you know," James continued, his voice quiet. "I've always wondered if you'd rather be friends with Lily and the other girls in our year rather than us."

"Absolutely not," I shook my head. "You guys are honestly the best thing that ever happened to me and I'm more than positive that Nat would agree with me. Besides, I'm too much boy to ever be able to keep up with them."

James was silent for a moment, then quietly said, "I think you're a lot more girl than you give yourself credit for, Allie."

I opened my mouth to ask him what he meant, but I began to realize what was going on as his hands slipped out from underneath my own and slid down my sides, stopping at the sliver of skin that was peaking out between my tight black t-shirt and low-rise jeans. I felt a shiver run through me, but I swallowed hard, trying to push the cloud that was floating in my brain away to no avail.

"James," I said quietly, bringing my hands to his, which were slowly slipping under my shirt, but not making any effort to stop him.

"Hm?" James asked, bending forward and bringing his lips to my right ear.

"What about Lily?" I asked, squirming slightly as James pushed the t-shirt higher, his hands groping the soft skin of my stomach.

"Lily who?" James breathed, his breath warm against my neck.

Those two words seemed enough for me to forget the many reasons that were telling me this was wrong. Not caring about what we'd say to each other come morning, I allowed James to push me onto my back and straddle my hips. I looked up into James's hazel eyes and nearly shouted with joy as I recognized the look of desire in his eyes that I knew were mirroring my own.

Before I knew what was happening, James settled above me and he kissed me in a fashion that was so much different than our quick farewell kisses between classes. He stole my breath as his lips brushed mine and my thoughts went with as his hands danced down my sides. A second brush and my entire brain was humming. Finally, his mouth settled more firmly over my own and I felt as though I had drunk ten times the amount of firewhiskey I had actually managed.

Our mouths separated only long enough to pull both of our shirts off. I found it slightly ironic that I was helping him take the shirt off that I had only moments earlier helped him put on, but rather than commenting, I let him take possession of my mouth once more.

After some very sensual kissing, James took a deep breath and, in a very husky voice, asked, "Allie?"

"Yes?" I whispered, running my hands down his chest to his lightly defined abs.

He ran kisses down my neck and to my collarbone before continuing in the same voice, "Have you really liked me since the third year?"

James surfaced long enough to meet my eyes, a playful expression on his face. In answer, I managed to roll him over so we switched positions. As I brought my lips to his chest, James began to play with the clasp of my bra, his fingers fumbling slightly. I straightened up, pulled it over my head, and threw it over my shoulder in a fluid motion, not concerned about where it landed.

I leaned back over, only worrying about giving him at least one nice sized hickey as a reminder of this for the next day. He began to play with the buttons of my jeans and, taking the hint, I dispelled of them as well, leaving me only in my underwear. James brought the comforter around my hips and began to unbuckle his belt as I returned to my mission, but before I could even properly kiss him, there was a swift slam from behind us, making us both jump.

"Bloody hell!" Nat's voice filled the room, making me jump upward and wrap my arms protectively around my chest. I clamped my eyes shut, praying that I had only imagined her voice, but was let down quite quickly. "I guess they actually are together!"

Taking a deep breath, I managed to look over my shoulder to see Nat and Sirius gazing at James and I, obviously amused at the situation.

"Is there a problem?" I asked, batting my eyelashes at them as James pulled himself into a sitting position.

"Not for you, apparently," Nat grinned, crossing her arms.

"You can leave any moment now," James cleared his throat, pulling the comforter up around me more to better hide my bare upper half.

"All right, all right," Nat smirked, backing out and pushing Sirius along with her. "Close the hangings next time."

I locked eyes with Sirius for a moment and felt uncomfortable, not wanting to know what was going through his head. Then again, surely I had walked in on him and Nat in the exact same position countless times over the summer whenever I stayed at Nat's house. It was the same thing – only with a bit of a role reversal. Nothing new, right?

I fell on my side as James reached up to take Nat's advice, allowing the hangings to swing shut. Once he was finished, James settled next to me, our bodies fitting together perfectly. James kissed my shoulder softly, then sighed deeply.

"Allie?"

"Yes?" I asked as he wrapped his right arm around me, linking his fingers with my own.

"I think we should consider that."

"Consider what?"

"You know – really being together."

I felt my breath catch in my throat, surprised to hear this. Was it just the firewhiskey? Was he going to change his mind come morning? I felt my eyes dart around but relaxed as he tightened his grip on my hand.

"I think so, too," I nodded, but for some reason couldn't help but think back to the look on Sirius's face and in his eyes.

However, just as quickly as the thought had entered my mind, I pushed it away. No – I had James and Sirius had Nat. Two best friends dating best friends. It couldn't be more perfect. Right?

Now if only I could convince myself.

Eventually, I felt James's breath slow and deepen against my back. Deciding that I should probably just go to my own dormitory and deal with Nat now rather than later and in front of a crowd of people since she was a bitch like that, I carefully untangled myself from James's arms.

"Mmmwushgoinon?" James murmured, his eyes flickering open a bit.

I smiled down at him and reached down, carefully sliding his glasses out from around his ears and folding them up. He blinked a few times and began to sit up.

"No, go back to sleep," I said, putting my hand on his chest. "I'm going to go to bed now, too."

"All right," James said, then heaved a great sigh.

I carefully escaped James's bed, then realized just how scantily clad I was. Great. Nat was going to have a field day with this one.

I squinted through the darkness and located my jeans, pulling them on over my hips and buttoning them. I couldn't find my bra or my shirt, but did find what looked like a shirt I had seen Sirius had worn a few days earlier. Yeah, Nat was going to love this. As I pulled it over my head, I hoped that no one was down in the common room.

I silently left the room, then hurried down the stairs before a prefect or younger student could intercept me. Both would be bad, as I'd probably get a lecture from the prefect and be giggled at by any student third year on down.

The common room was still a brilliant shade of orange, but the charms were slowly wearing off. The portraits were back to normal, but it was hard to tell if that was because the inhabitants wouldn't stop pestering them to take the charms off or if they wore off naturally. I smiled at the handiwork of my friends, impressed at them.

I began to head toward the entrance to the girls' dormitory, but was stopped when I heard Remus.

"Finally!" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet and elbowing Peter next to him to wake him up

Oh, that's right. It was their dormitory, too.

"Sorry," I apologized sheepishly, crossing my arms over my chest so it wasn't completely obvious I was braless.

"We're used to it," Peter yawned, stretching violently. "Only, usually it's Padfoot and Nat keeping us up."

"Good change of pace," Remus joked, giving me a wink. I love my best friend. "Good night."

"Night," Peter waved over his shoulder, walking by.

I started to leave again, but then noticed that Sirius was sitting by himself near the fireplace. He seemed to be oblivious as to what was going on, which was most unlike him. I glanced around the empty common room and walked toward him, sitting on the arm of the chair next to him.

"You all right?"

Sirius jumped, his eyes wide as he looked at me. "Wow, I completely zoned out."

"I could tell."

"Nice shirt," he smirked, looking at his brown, Chudley Cannons t-shirt. "Looks better on you."

"You might not be getting it back," I shrugged. "You can keep my bra."

Sirius only smiled at this remark, which made me realize that something was really wrong. We've always had the sort of friendship where we could make jokes like that, going back and forth for hours if we really want to. It could get on Nat's nerves every so often. On more than one occasion she had suggested we find a broom cupboard already.

"What's going on?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Sirius sighed, leaning forward as though he was about to get up.

"Are you sure?"

"Nope, but it'll work itself out eventually."

Sirius actually got to his feet, so I followed him in suit, but stopped him before he could make a beeline for the entrance to the boys' dormitory.

"Look, like you told me," I started, looking him square in the eye. "If you ever need to talk or anything, I'm more than willing to listen - even if it's about Nat."

Sirius looked like he was going to comment, but just took a step closer to me, staring at my face. I felt a chill go through me – his eyes were every bit as piercing as Nat always said. Before I could react, he put a hand on my cheek. I felt my eyes go wide.

"Thank you. That really means a lot to me."

And then he kissed me.

Kamers's Author's Note: Uh-oh! What's gonna happen. (-: Oh, I love the suspense. Thanks for reading and please let us know what you think, all right? I've got the next chapter, so it won't take two years to be put up.

Carp's Author's Note: You know, I should hit you for that, but I won't because I know it's true. So yeah. My boyfriend cheated on me with HER! -sobs- Hehe. Kidding. So yeah. I love cliffies, don't you guys? Actually, you prolly don't. Then again, I don't even know what's gonna happen next, so I'm in just as much suspense as you. But oh well…