James was doing his best to pay attention in Charms while his friends insisted on shooting paper airplanes at the back of his head. He turned around to shoot them an unimpressed look. Sirius and Peter grinned proudly, waving at him. James began to unravel the notes, one after another, poorly done stick figure drawings of all four Marauders dancing around waiting inside.

James smirked, tossing the airplane back towards his friends. It was mid-afternoon, March 27, 1978, better known as James Potter's eighteenth birthday.

"If you don't pay attention you're going to miss all the N.E.W.T.S studying information Flitwick is giving you," Lily whispered to her boyfriend. He gave her a curious look; something about the glimmer in her eye told him that she knew something he didn't.

"Are you in on a Marauder secret?" he asked his girlfriend excitedly.

"Me? Don't be insane?" the latter retorted with light laughter. James looked behind at his pleased-looking friends once more. They never failed with birthday bashes. For his twelfth they'd managed to interrupt the History of Magic class, to Professor Binns' horror, filling the room with thousands of balloons and birds bewitched to sing happy birthday. It had been such a mess they'd had to cancel the class.

For his fourteenth, the day of a Gryffindor versus Slytherin Quidditch match, after a huge win on Gryffindor's part, the boys had organized one of the most legendary parties in Hogwarts history in an empty classroom on the seventh floor. Filch had discovered the party and it had taken nearly every professor in the castle to shut the thing down and clear all the students out. For the next month, students would be running up and thanking James for the wild night. Sirius had been very proud of the whole thing.

Sixth year they'd somehow convinced the house-elves to help them put on a play at dinner. James had been sitting with Peter and Remus when Sirius had appeared at the front of the Great Hall, and – despite the teacher's protests – gotten the house-elves to help reenact the life of James Potter. It had been unforgettable.

James hadn't a clue what his friend's had up their sleeves this year but, needless to say, he was a mixture of terror and excitement.

"So," James started as the bell signaled the end of class, "what are your plans for tonight?"

"Studying. We have two months to prepare for this test and it determines what we can do after Hogwarts, I can't waste another minute," Lily replied, straight-faced. James' stomach sank the slightest. Maybe he was wrong; maybe she wasn't in on anything.

"Two months is a long time," he insisted, his girlfriend giving him a knowing look.

"With our luck we'll all be kidnapped in a week and I'll never get to study," Lily told her boyfriend. It was hard to argue with that one, they did seem to have terrible luck. She swung her book bag over her shoulder, taking James' hand.

"We'll celebrate tonight, okay? After dinner, and I've had time to get some studying in. I haven't forgotten that it's your birthday." James smiled.

"As long as I get to spend some time with you," he told her, the pair joining the crowds of students making their way through the corridors.

"Hiya Prongs," Sirius said cheerfully, rushing up and throwing an arm around his friend's shoulder. "How ya feeling?"

"Old, I bet," Peter interjected. "He is eighteen now, nearly middle-aged." James rolled his eyes.

"Ha, ha, ha," he replied dryly. "What is it, then? What's your big plan for this year?" Sirius shrugged.

"Oh you know, just something little. We figured you didn't want a big event this year," James nodded despite the disappointment he felt inside. He'd wanted a big event this year more than any other. It was the last birthday he'd ever spend at Hogwarts.

"Right," he nodded, "so, should I keep my schedule clear?"

"Oh, you'll know when we need you," Sirius assured him, he and Peter quickening their pace. "Catch ya later, Prongs!" He cried behind his shoulder, leaving James as clueless as he'd found him.

"See you soon!"


Mary had an armful of homework Reg had promised to help her with and was staggering down towards the Hufflepuff basement when she heard an alarming noise from behind the staircase. Her stomach sank. With all the bad luck she felt her and her friends had been plagued anything that seemed slightly out of place sent a shiver up her spine.

"Who's there?" she asked, her hand gripping her wand. She scurried towards the staircase, ready to curse a Slytherin hurting a young Hufflepuff, but that wasn't what she found at all. "Shit!" Mary screamed, coming face to face with Everett and Fabian, Everett's hand down the other's pants. They looked horrified.

"Mary!" Fabian screamed in shock, the Gryffindor shielding her eyes.

"I am so sorry! I didn't see anything, I am blocking it from my memory forever…" She began stepping backwards, her eyes still covered. She tripped on her feet, stumbling backwards. There wasn't a chance the moment could grow any more awkward.

"Are you okay!?" Fabian asked, rushing over to Mary's side, helping her up to her feet.

"Fine, I'm fine!" she heaved, wiping off her pants. Everett and Fabian were both watching her with widened eyes, waiting for some kind of reaction. She hadn't remembered that neither of them knew she had already heard about their little secret.

"Listen, let me explain-" Fabian began.

"I know," Mary assured him, "Reg told me a while ago, he saw you two." Both boys looked confused.

"Reg?" Mary's stomach sank.

"Reginald Cattermole," she clarified. Fabian still didn't look any more settled.

"You're friends with Reginald Cattermole?"

"Fab," Everett pressed from behind them, "I think we might have more important issues to discuss, such as the fact that this guy has seen us together."

"He isn't going to tell anyone," Mary assured them, "I made him promise not to."

"Why do I not find that very reassuring?" Everett grumbled. That hit a nerve. Mary's eyes narrowed on him, her arms crossing.

"He keeps his word," she snapped defensively. "Reg is an honorable guy."

"Is there some reason you're talking to me in that tone, McDonald?" Oh, now she was going to give it to him. Luckily Fabian stepped between the pair before she got a chance.

"Okay you two, let's not start arguing here. Mary, Everett is just worried because we haven't told anyone yet. We're still trying to figure out the best way to break the news."

"Well you might want to find a new spot for handjobs," Mary informed them bluntly, "seeing as this is the second time you've been caught back here. Does Gideon even know yet?" Fabian's head bowed guiltily, shaking. "You need to tell him, Fab," Mary sighed, "if this is serious."

Mary's own words sunk in for herself. Here she was, giving Fabian advice about being honest with the people he loved, and she was still lying herself. She'd been seeing Reg for months in secret and she still hadn't even told her best friend. Mary's stomach sank guiltily. What was holding her back? Why was she so afraid to be honest?

"I have to go," she said suddenly, a glazed look coming over her eyes. Fabian and Everett both stared at her with alarm as Mary gathered her things and turned for the Hufflepuff basement. "This never happened!" she promised the boys, rushing off without another word. She had a very urgent need to see Reg, right that very second. She followed the pattern he'd taught her on the barrels, moving through the passage into the brightly lit and cozy Hufflepuff common room.

"Hey Mary!" A few familiar faces greeted her. In the months she and Reg had been together Mary had realized the true value of being in Hufflepuff house. Despite half the students knowing she was seeing Reg in secret she hadn't heard them whispering about it once, never had a rumor about her hours spent in the basement spread. They were loyal, and deeply understanding. A part of her wished she might have been sorted into the house.

"Reg is just in the dorm," one of Reg's roommates informed her from a table in the corner. Mary smiled gratefully at him. She moved towards the oval doors behind which the boys dormitory hid, moving along the tunnel and making the third right which led to Reg's room. Mary tapped on the door urgently.

"Yes?" a timid voice answered from behind it, Mary pushing it open. Reg was sat on top of his bed, flipping through a book, no one else around in the cozy oval room.

"Hi," he smiled, moving over so Mary could take the spot beside him on the bed. They did that sometimes, just lay together. Especially with all the crazy shit that had been going on in the past month. Mary had grown accustomed to visiting Reg, her head resting on his shoulder while she completed her homework, letting him help her out here and there.

As their relationship progressed Reg had grown more and more comfortable in his own skin. He didn't go bright red anymore whenever Mary kissed him or jump a little when she grabbed his hand. He was comfortable, his nerves washed away. Mary liked it.

She kicked off her shoes, clambering onto the bed beside him, her head falling to his shoulder, her arms wrapping around him.

"How're you doing?" he asked sweetly.

Mary sighed heavily. "I haven't been a very good girlfriend," she admitted to Reg, lifting her head to look him in the eyes.

"What?" he asked in astonishment. "What do you mean?"

"I haven't even told my best friend we're dating!" she explained exasperatedly, sitting up and curling her legs beneath her. "I mean, half of Hufflepuff knows we're dating and I haven't even let on to my friends that I have a boyfriend…" Now it was Mary's turn to bow her head with embarrassment. What was wrong with her? Why was she so afraid to be honest? To let her friends see she was happy?

"I haven't wanted to push you," Reg explained to her. "I know I'm not your first boyfriend, but…" Mary shook her head.

"You might as well be," she admitted. "Every other guy…they've been replaceable. I've never wanted to be with someone the way I want to be with you and maybe that's why I haven't told them, because I'm afraid…" Mary's voice broke off, Reg reaching out for her hand. "I'm afraid that once it's real it'll be over."

"I'm not going anywhere, Mary," Reg assured her without pause, moving closer, his forehead pressing against Mary's comfortingly.

"You say that now," she warned him, "but look at everyone else in my life. Everyone who loves me leaves."

"Not me," Reg promised, "there's nothing you could do that could make me leave." Mary closed her eyes feeling as though she might erupt with emotion. No one had ever made her feel as adored as Reg did. He cared, he really cared, in the way she'd always wanted someone to. She couldn't hide that from her friend's anymore; she couldn't keep it secret. It was time Mary McDonald let the whole world know what she had for a while now.

"What?" Reg asked, stroking her hair, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Mary told him, shaking her head. "I just…I think I'm falling in love with you."


Alice was helping Professor Lisbon clean up after a rather eventful second year Defence Against the Dark Arts class. She had attempted to get the students to produce Bat-Boogey hexes, forgetting about the mess which would ensue. Luckily, Alice had been on her way back from Divination and run into the desperate teacher, offering to lend a hand.

"Thanks so much, Alice," Professor Lisbon smiled once they cleaned up most of the room.

"It's not a problem," Alice assured her. Having been married to Frank for a week now Alice had a new skip in her step. She was more than happy to lend a hand to someone in a tough spot.

"Is there anything I can give you?" the teacher asked desperately, "to thank you?"

"No," Alice assured her, shrugging the whole thing off. "Unless you've got pink coconut ice." Professor Lisbon's eyes lit up.

"I do!" she exclaimed excitedly. "I bought some in Hogsmeade the other day, give me a second!" She started for her office, Alice trying to stop her.

"It's fine!" she called after the teacher. "I was only kidding." It was no use; she'd already slipped away. Alice sighed, leaning back against a desk casually. Well, she wasn't going to refuse the treat now.

"Griffith?" Alice spun around, a group of three Ravenclaw boys from her Charms class peeking in the doorway.

"Yeah?" Alice replied unsurely, looking them over with a bored kind of curiosity. Two of them stayed back while the one in the front, whom Alice was pretty sure was named Roland, moved towards her.

"Listen," he began smoothly, hardly missing a beat. "I know we haven't really ever spoken but since I heard you and Longbottom broke up I've been working up the courage to ask you if you'd like to go on a date." Alice was struggling to hold back a smile. "I figured I should probably give you some time, to get over the whole thing, but now felt like it was as good as any." Alice's eyes flickered to the door to see Frank stepping in between Roland's two friends.

"Hey," he said, coming up towards the pair. Roland looked from Frank to Alice in dismay, Alice biting her lip guiltily.

"Sorry," she apologized, feeling horrible about the whole thing. "We sort of got back together a little while ago." Frank gave her a curious look, catching on to what was happening.

"Oh…" Roland mumbled.

"Yeah, then we got married." Alice lifted up her left hand to display the ring.

"Shit."

"That was incredibly sweet though!" Alice exclaimed, always a pleaser. "Really, any girl would be lucky to have you." Roland wasted no time backing away, rushing back towards his friends, red as a tomato.

"Are you trying to get rid of me already?" Frank teased her his arm wrapping around Alice as Professor Lisbon reappeared.

"Mhm, but you interrupted and foiled my plans."

"Here you go," Professor Lisbon said, handing the box of coconut ice to Alice. "Thanks once again."

"No problem Professor!" Alice assured her, heading from the room hand in hand with Frank. She shimmied the box open, popping a square into her mouth immediately.

"How did you manage to get pink coconut ice out of a teacher?" Frank asked in disbelief. Alice shrugged mischievously.

"A girl never shares her secrets," she replied, her mouth full of candy. Frank paused, grinning madly at Alice.

"What?" She chuckled. Frank just pushed her backwards into the wall behind her, kissing her passionately. She pressed her lips back into his, her body just melting into the embrace.

"Come on," Frank proposed, taking her by the hand, leading her down the hallway at a rapid pace. Alice was careful not to let loose the box of candy in her hand as Frank found a deserted passage, pulling her down it. He pushed Alice against the wall, his hands running through her hair, his breath warm and sticky against her neck.

"The coconut ice!" Alice cried in distress, Frank laughing at her as he took it from her grasp, placing it carefully on the floor beside them. Now Alice was free to do as she pleased. Frank tugged her blouse out from her skirt, his hands traveling freely underneath her shirt. Alice breathed heavily.

"Someone might see us," she warned her husband; the word still rang funny in her head.

"I don't care," Frank told her, his lips pressed into her neck. Alice had to admit it - when he was touching her like that she didn't really mind either. Everyone would be back in their houses, few would wander down the passage anyway…

"Okay," she agreed, "we have to be quick though!" There was an element of danger to it that Alice couldn't help but relish in as she slipped her tights down. It felt so good to have Frank inside of her. Every time they shagged Alice was reminding once more of that connection she'd missed so deeply.

He used his strength to keep Alice up against the wall, her leg straddled around his hips. They were always good together; they knew one another.

It was ten minutes later than Alice was back on her two feet, pulling her tights up like the naughty schoolgirl she was.

"Alright, Mrs. Longbottom?" Oh, it would take Alice a while to get used to that one too. She loved it though.

She strung her hand with Frank's, offering him one of her pink coconut ice cubes, a generous offer coming from her.

"Wonderful," she promised her husband. Never in her life had Alice felt so happy.


The Gryffindor Common Room was brimming with students of all years and houses. It'd been decked with streamers and balloons, and was filled with Butterbeer and alcohol alike for the guests. Someone had stuck on a Sex Pistols record and God Save the Queen was pounding through the room. Marlene was sat on the couch, a beer in her hand, chatting with her friends as they awaited the birthday boy's arrival. Once again, the Marauders had gone above and beyond.

"That was smart of Lily," Emmeline commented, her and Gideon squeezed in side by side on the couch. Marlene couldn't ignore how close the pair had seemed to have become. In recent weeks they were inseparable. Always together, laughing, passing notes in class. She hadn't yet had the chance to ask her friend what was going on but at this point it seemed pretty obvious. "To tell James to meet her in the library after dinner so he couldn't have the surprise spoiled."

"I just wish they'd bloody hurry up," Marlene sighed, throwing back some of her drink, "I want this party to get started."

"Uh-oh, is this going to be one of those nights Marlene gets so drunk she can't remember who she made out with in the morning?" Mary asked, Marlene glaring at her.

"Shut up Mary," Emmeline said, winking in Marlene's direction. "Besides, Marley is with Henry now, I doubt they'll be hookups with any randos." Marlene's stomach sank. Emmeline was wrong there.

"I need another beer," Marlene announced, finishing off her bottle, setting it down heavily on the table.

"Careful, McKinnon," Gideon called after her, Marlene approaching the drinks table. Just as she'd poured herself a glass of Firewhiskey the portrait hole swung open, Peter rushing inside, his face all lit up with excitement.

"He's coming!" he informed the room, the voices suddenly quieting down, someone shutting off the record. Marlene stood rather still near the back of the room waiting until the portrait hole opened once more, Lily stepping in first, followed quickly by James.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" the whole room erupted, James looking completely blown away. All four Marauders ran up, bombarding their friend with hugs and hair ruffles. Lily grinned proudly from beside him. Marlene threw back her drink. It was going to be a long night.

X

Marlene was drunk. Not just tipsy. She was room-spinning, staggering-on-her-feet drunk. Alice and Frank were stood in the corner, chatting with a few fellow Prefects. Marlene stumbled towards them, Alice steadying her so she didn't fall over.

"You alright, babe?" her friend asked nervously, shuffling away from the group so that they wouldn't interrupt them.

"I am drunk," Marlene proclaimed, Alice plopping her down into an empty armchair.

"I can see that. Why don't I grab you a glass of water-"

"Don't leave," Marlene pleaded, clutching Alice's hand before she could rush off. She obliged, sitting on the arm of the chair, stroking her friend's hair.

"What's going on?" she asked, worried. "Why'd you do this?" Marlene looked up with watery eyes.

"I am a horrible person." Alice shook her head.

"What are you talking about?"

"I've fucked up everything, Alice," Marlene exclaimed, her head dropping into her friend's lap hopelessly. "I told myself I wasn't going to fall in love with him and I did. I screwed up. Now it's all messy."

"Henry?" Alice asked, clueless. Marlene lifted her head, squinting up at her friend.

"Henry," she sighed sadly. "He's gone…"

"What do you mean gone?" Alice replied, her hand still stroking Marlene's head comfortingly.

"He broke up with me," Alice's face dropped.

"Oh Mar…"

"I am unlovable," Marlene told her friend surely. "That's why I fuck up everything I touch."

"You're wrong," Alice promised her, "I love you. You're the most lovable person I've ever met." Marlene smiled sleepily at her friend.

"You are wonderful, you know that Alice?" Alice scoffed.

"Yeah, yeah, tell it to me when you're sober."

"What's wrong with her?" a deep voice asked from above. Marlene stared up to see Sirius looming over her.

"Drunk as a skunk," Alice explained to him. He laughed.

"Let me take her off your hands," he suggested to Alice. "You go back and spend the night with your new husband."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, she shouldn't be too much trouble."

"That's what you think," Marlene teased him, Sirius shaking his head with a smirk.

"Come on drunky," he said, helping her up from the chair, her arm wrapping around the back of his neck.

"Will you take me to James' room?" Marlene asked hopefully. "He has the big windows you can open, some fresh air would be nice." Sirius paused for a moment before nodding.

"Okay," he agreed, helping her towards the stairs. Marlene got up them slowly but surely without any assistance. It was dark inside James' dorm, neither of them bothering with any lights as Marlene headed straight for the window, pushing it open. She sat on the ledge, the cool breeze helping to wake her up.

"Here," Sirius took an empty cup off James' bedside table, tapping his wand against the side so it filled up with water. "This will help."

"Sirius."

"Yeah?"

"I keep having this dream…" Marlene paused, swallowing back the fear building up inside of her. It was something that'd been happening often, ever since she'd gotten captured. She'd never had the courage to tell anyone. "I keep seeing this scene, this dark and empty room and then I'm there, I'm in the middle, tied up and…"

"You're dead?" Sirius assumed, Marlene nodding with a look of fear upon her delicate face. His icy grey eyes met hers, filled with determination.

"It's not going to happen, Marlene," he told her surely. She knew he was going to say that.

"Sirius, I think-"

"No," her told her sternly. "You're not dying tied up and tortured Marlene, that's not how you go, okay? You die old and fulfilled, warm in your bed." Marlene knew he didn't believe in any of the stupid superstitious crap, he'd always hated Divination, but she'd had a soft spot for it. It was why she'd taken the course for all seven years, there was something about it which rang true to her, and the dreams were no comfort.

"I don't want to be just another number," Marlene admitted, ignoring Sirius skepticism, "another person people just remember. I want to do something-"

"You're just drunk, Marlene," Sirius told her surely, "it brings out all our worst fears. It's not going to happen though."

"You don't have any fears," she told him. "You never have." Sirius shook his head with a pinched expression.

"I have tons of fears," he assured.

"Name one," Marlene pressured him, Sirius rolling his eyes.

"You wouldn't believe me if I said it." Drunk and filled with hope, Marlene's eyes widened just the slightest. Was it her? Could it be that everything Sirius had told her was true? That he did love her?

"Remember that first summer you stayed with the Potters'? The first time you left home?" Marlene asked him, Sirius shrugging.

"Yeah."

"No one could understand how you handled it all so well, getting kicked out, being disowned. Then I found you that night." Sirius looked up at her in astonishment.

"I didn't think you remembered-"

"I didn't want you to be embarrassed," Marlene explained. Sirius had sat down on the edge of James' bed, just a few feet away. Marlene's eyes had adjusted to the darkness of the room and she could see him now, staring at her endlessly. "Did you ever write back?"

"To Regulus?" Sirius scoffed. "Merlin, no."

"He missed you."

"He was trying to get me back on their side, to be one of them," Sirius seethed. Marlene had discovered him sat in his bedroom during a party the Marauders had thrown, tears streaming down his cheeks as he read a letter from his brother. She'd pretended to be much more intoxicated than she had been.

"You missed him too though," Marene said surely.

"What does it matter now?"

"Doesn't," she shrugged. "Guess I just realized...you weren't unbreakable." Suddenly there was a crash from downstairs, the pair looking at one another with expressions of shared confusion.

"What was that?" Sirius swung open the door to James' room to see everyone from downstairs flooding up to their dorms. Marlene peeked out from behind his shoulder.

"Uh-oh," she said, knowing well something had gone wrong.


"How does it feel to be eighteen?" Lily asked her boyfriend with a big smile, the pair nuzzled into an armchair together in the corner of the Common Room.

"I feel very old and mature," he told her surely, Lily laughing at him.

"Not to burst your bubble or anything but I'm much older and more mature than you."

"Oh, here we go again," James groaned.

"Two months older than you," Lily reminded him for the hundredth time. "I was nearly talking by the time you were born."

"You are so annoying."

"I never thought I'd be the kind of girl to go for a younger man."

"Stop talking," James begged her, shaking his head with embarrassment.

"My little boy," Lily teased him, pinching his cheeks. James kissed her hungrily to shut her up, Lily hardly protesting. The feeling of his lips against hers was a welcome sensation.

"Guys!" Peter exclaimed, rushing towards the couple with Emmeline in his wake. "Look! McDonald invited Reginald Cattermole!"

"I can't believe this!" Emmeline squealed furiously. "She told us she was not into him, did she not?"

"I can't quite remember. Five seconds after that conversation the café we were in was blown apart."

"Excuses, excuses, Evans," James teased her, Lily sticking her tongue out at him. Mary was in fact standing chatting with Reg and their hands were dangerously close. Lily didn't care, of course, she just couldn't understand why her friend had kept it a secret.

"They can't be together," Emmeline, said in denial, "he's not her type." Lily held her tongue. She could tell Emmeline was just upset she was learning about the relationship at the same time as everyone else.

"I don't know," Lily admitted, watching Mary laugh cheerfully. "They do look nice though."

"Speaking of couples, what's up with you and Prewett?" James asked curiously, grabbing Emmeline's attention away from Reg and Mary.

"What do you mean?" she asked, playing clueless. James arched an eyebrow.

"You guys have been together non-stop since I've been back," he told her, "are you dating?" Emmeline went bright pink, Lily's mouth falling open.

"You and Gideon!?" she cried excitedly.

"Not officially!" Emmeline told them quickly. "We're just…hanging out. Seeing how things go."

"Have you kissed?" Peter asked her, Emmeline shaking her head.

"We're going…slow."

"Thank Merlin you're finally over the douchebags you were bringing around for a while," James sighed with relief. "I actually like Gideon."

"Sorry Potter, was I supposed to have your approval?" Emmeline questioned James bluntly. Lily smiled broadly at her boyfriend.

"Yeah Potter, what makes you think us girls need you to approve of who we date?"

"I-"

"Holy fuck," Peter cursed, grabbing everyone's attention now. They all looked towards him.

"Look!" he proclaimed, pointing across the room. Everett Jenkins had stepped in, rather awkwardly, and was making his way through the crowd.

"Frank's not going to like that…" James murmured.

"Shit," Emmeline said anxiously, watching him with big fear-filled eyes.

"Do you think that guy has an alarm that lets him know when best to destroy other's happiness?" Peter asked the group, everyone's eyes glued to the scene taking place before them. Frank and Alice were across the room, chatting with friends, as Everett moved for the drink's table. Alice had her back to him but Lily watched in horror as Frank caught sight of the guy across the room, tensing up. She wanted to rush in between them, to somehow prevent the drama, which was promised to ensue.

"Three, two," James began to count down, "and... one."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Lily heard Frank grumble furiously even though they were on opposite ends of the room. Alice looked over now, catching sight of the man her husband was quickly approaching.

"Frank!" she cried out, trying to stop him. It was no use.

"Longbottom," Everett began cautiously. Frank shoved him hard.

"Should we do something?" Lily asked, glued to her seat on James' lap.

"Probably," Peter nodded.

"You have some fucking nerve," Frank said, his eyes burning with fury. The whole room had gone silent, watching the altercation intently.

"Listen, I'm not here-"

"Do you just enjoy destroying other people's lives?"

"Frank." Lily suddenly noticed Remus stepping in between the pair, trying to be the mediator. Leila was off to the side, watching him nervously. It was a shit show. "Leave him alone," Remus warned his friend. Alice had now rushed up beside her husband.

"He isn't here for the reason you think," Alice explained to Frank. He stared at her incredulously.

"You know why he's here?" he demanded angrily, Lily's eyes widening. She didn't think it could get worse yet it seemed to have. "Did you invite him?"

"No!" Alice replied immediately.

"You're overreacting, Frank," Remus said, trying to pull the Gryffindor aside. Frank was bigger and stronger than him though. He shoved Remus off of him. Lily jumped up now at the same time as James, neither able to sit by and watch anymore.

Gideon and Fabian, who'd gone out on a smoke break, had reentered now. Fabian's face dropped in shock and Lily met his glance for a second, rolling her eyes to signify how ridiculous she thought the whole thing was. He didn't return the gesture.

"This is bloody ridiculous," Frank shook his head.

"Frank, just calm the fuck down!" Alice demanded of her husband. Everett looked ready to slowly back away when Frank slammed his fist into the latter's face, Alice gasping.

"That was the opposite of calming the fuck down," Lily commented, Fabian lunging down to help Everett up.

"I'm so sorry," Lily heard Fabian apologize. Sorry? What did Fabian have to be sorry for?

"Why is he here?!" Frank yelled at Alice as she stared back at him with an unimpressed glare.

"I-don't-know," she stated between gritted teeth, clearly just as angry as he was. Lily had to admit; she was a little confused herself. There was blood down the front of Everett's t-shirt, his nose bleeding.

"Frank you're acting like such a dick!" Mary snapped, stepping into the circle, taking the role of mama bear as always. She stood by Alice's side, staring Frank down. The entire room was watching. "She didn't invite him, how many times does she have to tell you?" Mary looked down at the pair on the floor expectantly. "Someone else did."

"Who else would-"

"ME!" Fabian finally cried out to everyone's shock. "Okay? I am the one who invited him, Frank, not your girlfriend."

"His wife actually," Leila interjected, everyone staring at her exasperatedly. "Sorry," she apologized, stepping back. Lily still looked befuddled. When had Fabian become friends with Everett? She didn't understand. Why would he bring him knowing the mayhem it'd cause?

"Okay," James said to everyone in room, "I think it's time everyone cleared out." He and Remus started ushering people along, clearing out the crowds, as Fabian helped Everett to his feet.

"Why did you invite him, Fabian?" Gideon asked, looking as uncertain as Lily did.

"He's my boyfriend," Fabian admitted, the breath catching in Lily's throat. She must have misheard. He couldn't have…

"No," Gideon shook his head, "no, that makes no sense-"

"I know it's hard to hear, Gid," Fabian began desperately, "I wanted to tell you better than this, I…I was hoping we could sit down and talk-"

"I don't…I don't understand…" Gideon said, shaking his head. Fabian outstretched a hand for his brother but he jolted away. "You're dating…him?" He pointed towards Everett with disgust. Lily herself was still trying to digest the information. Fabian was gay? Her Fabian? The first guy she'd ever loved, the guy she'd lost her virginity to? He was gay? Had he even loved her? Lily stared behind her shoulder at her friends, most of whom shared her expression of shock, except for Alice and Mary.

"You two knew?" Lily blurted out. Gideon's eyes traveled towards them, his mouth gaping open.

"You told them?" he asked incredulously. "Before me?" Lily could see the panic in Fabian's eyes as he struggled to explain.

"It wasn't like that!" Alice jumped into his defence. The pain in Gideon's eyes said it all.

"I don't even know you," he told his brother harshly, turning away.

"Gid, wait!" Fabian tried hopelessly after him. He dropped his head into his hands, Everett placing a hand upon his shoulder comfortingly. Lily winced just the slightest.

"Guess that puts an end to the night's celebrations," James sighed, returning to the group as he and Remus got the last of the students up the stairs to their dormitories. Frank had his head bowed guiltily as Alice turned to him with crossed arms.

"Sorry," he apologized, his wife rolling her eyes.

"Next time I tell you to calm the fuck down can you at least try and listen?"

"Okay," Frank agreed, Alice shaking her head.

"Come on," she urged him, the pair turning for the stairs just as Marlene and Sirius emerged.

"What'd we miss?" Sirius asked, staring around in confusion.

"Gideon is pissed," Emmeline informed the group, climbing beneath her covers. Mary was lying in the bed next to her, a nervous expression upon her face. The events of the night had been far from what she'd anticipated.

"I don't understand why," Alice sighed, "if anything he should be happy, Fabian has found someone he loves."

"But I mean…" Emmeline paused. "It is a little strange isn't it? I have nothing against the whole thing – two guys being together – we've all been attracted to the same gender before, but Everett Jenkins? That's the big shocker. Not to mention the fact that it's completely out of the blue."

"For us," Mary informed her friend, "I'm sure it's not too sudden for Fabian."

"Well Gideon is his brother, shouldn't Fabian had made it a priority to tell him?" Emmeline pressed her friend. Something about the look in Emmeline's eyes told Mary this was about more than just Fabian and Gideon's relationship. "I mean, if you had big news like that you think you'd tell your closest friend, wouldn't you?" Emmeline continued, staring directly at Mary.

"Am I missing something here?" Alice asked unsurely.

"Sometimes it's not that simple," Mary informed her friend, hoping she understood what she was trying to say. "Sometimes it's easier to work things out when we keep them to ourselves, don't let them get too complicated yet."

"I wouldn't complicate things, Mary," Emmeline said, sounding hurt. "I'm supposed to be your best friend."

"Definitely missing something here," Alice decided from across the room.

"You are my best friend," Mary insisted. "It wasn't about you, Emmy, it was…I was scared. Scared to be honest with myself and most of all with you guys."

"Honest about-" Alice began.

"I think I love him," Mary admitted, her voice shaking as she said it. "I've been so afraid to feel this way and now…I'm terrified Em." Emmeline leaped over to Mary's bed, throwing her arms around her friend as the sormitory door flew open, Marlene stepping inside.

"We have an issue," she explained to the group of girls.

"Another?"

"Gideon is refusing to sleep in the dorm with Fabian." The three girls looked at one another in distress.

"Well where the hell is he planning to go?" Emmeline demanded, jumping up to her feet, ready for action.

"Well," Marlene began, widening the door a little. There stood Gideon, his face drawn and exhausted, a pillow tucked in between his arm.

"What the fuck," Mary spoke softly, mind boggled. How the bloody hell had Marlene managed to get Gideon up the stairs to the girls dormitories?

"I levitated him," the witch explained. "Took us a little while to figure that one out. Anyway, I'm willing to stay with the boys for a little while as long as you guys are okay with having him."

"Sorry," Gideon apologized guiltily.

"Of course you can stay with us," Emmeline spoke first. Mary didn't really mind but she didn't love the idea either. Couldn't the two boys just work it out for themselves without dragging everyone else into the mess?

"Yeah," Mary and Alice agreed soon after, "it's no problem."

"Thanks," Gideon smiled, heading for Marlene's bed beside Emmeline's, tossing his pillow down.

"Don't get into too much trouble with those boys!" Alice called after Marlene as she began to close the door.

"I'll try," the blonde smirked. Of course you could never keep Marlene away from trouble.


A/N: Just realized it's now been one year since I began writing this fic! Truthfully, I never thought I'd make it to 46 chapters and counting, nor did I think more than 10 people would be interested in reading. If anyone likes, I posted an AU Jily drabble on my blog. As well, the rest of the character descriptions should be up before the end of the week! Hope you enjoy the first update of 2016. Xx