Okay so I'm getting a lot of confusion over the Snape/James thing. I'm trying to make the characters behave/talk/act ect how I think they would've. So obviously logical but slightly naïve Lily thinks that James should tell on Snape – but James has the whole pride thing going for him. Also I know that Snape doesn't have influential parents but imagine if Snape did get expelled? The other Slytherins are just as bad, they don't care, they want to join Voldemort as soon as possible. At least at Hogwarts, Dumbledore can keep an eye on them.

Hope that clears up any issues !

ALSO sorry I was late putting this chapter up- im trying to do weekly updates but it'll more likely be fortnightly updates from here on what with exams and life

Disclaimer: All belongs to JK Rowling

MARLENE POV

"Hey handsome," Marlene said, winking at her brother. "Today's the big day, huh?"

Henry McKinnon snorted. "You know how much I enjoy the spotlight."

"Oh don't be stupid," Marlene scoffed. "This isn't all about you." She playfully punched her brother.

Her brother gasped dramatically. "It isn't?"

"No, no, no," Marlene drawled, adopting their grandmother's stern voice. "It is all about maintaining the family image and developing social connections Marlene. It won't be long before you'll be walking down that isle."

Henry laughed. "So has our favourite cousin arrived yet?"

James was their only cousin since their father was also an only child. Marlene and Henry used to tease James about him only being their stupid little cousin but any thought of James reminded Marlene of Remus, and she felt herself cringe a little.

"What's that face for?" Henry asked. "Is he flirting with the bride again?"

"No," Marlene said, maybe a little too bluntly. Henry eyed her with concern. "It's just school stuff. Come on this is your day – we can't have your hair looking like that."

Marlene picked up a comb while Henry's hand instantly went to his mop of unruly curls. She brushed a lock aside, only to watch it spring back into place.

"Hopeless," she muttered.

"Are Lily and Alice coming today?" Henry asked.

Marlene nodded. She yanked through another curl, ignoring his wince. "Yes and apparently Lily's parents too since you invited them. You are so random sometimes.

"I thought it would be nice," Henry said. "They've never been to a wizarding wedding before."

"Well they're definitely excited," Marlene said. "I saw them outside pointing at the self pouring bottles of champagne and the tray of canapés that refill themselves – say do you know how Mum did that spell?"

"No clue," Henry said, grinning wickedly.

Marlene had been trying to wheedle the spell out of her parents ever since she arrived home, but they'd clocked on pretty fast.

"Pest," Marlene muttered.

"And what about those other boys – James' friends," Henry continued; blissfully unaware of what had happened between her and Sirius. "Your boyfriend right? I invited them all."

"Ah," Marlene hesitated. She vividly remembered Sirius face when she pointed out that he'd cheated on her – or accused him, whatever. But lately she'd been having a feeling that maybe she'd falsely accused him, and frustratingly enough this new information was making her act even more abnormally around him. Marlene didn't think she liked Sirius again – like that – not after how she'd ended it, but her lingering feelings were definitely not feelings of anger or resentment or any of that stuff.

"Oh sorry," Henry said softly. "We don't have to talk about it right now."

She smiled fondly at him. "Come on – lets go get you married."

LILY POV

Lily was still angry with Marlene – fuming with her actually – but she couldn't help notice how beautiful her friend looked in her bridesmaid dress. And it made Lily hate her friend even more, which was stupid considering Marlene hadn't done anything wrong – this morning anyway. Lily was wedged in between her parents during the entire service, constantly having to shush them and slap her father's arm every time he went to point at something.

"But the ring bearer isn't even carrying the ring," her father whispered. "Look – it's just floating before him."

"Do you want to get kicked out of your first ever wizard wedding Dad?" Lily groaned.

The service went smoothly, and soon everyone was back at the McKinnon's house for the after party. Lily had quickly shrugged her parents off – leaving them in the patient hands of Mr and Mrs Longbottom – before rushing off to find Alice.

"There you are elderflower," a voice shouted across the McKinnon's living room. A few curious heads turned to find the source of the voice, including Lily's parents. Sirius burst forward, sprouting a large grin. "Missed you at the ceremony."

"Yeah well I was trying to avoid someone," Lily said smiling.

"Yeah well I'm sure Jamie boy will find you soon," Sirius said. "Want to grab a drink?"

He offered Lily his hand, who – after not being able to find a reason not to – laced her fingers through his. She'd wanted to find Alice but, if she was being honest with herself, that might've been because she wanted to vent her anger at Marlene with someone. And even though she couldn't ever imagine herself opening herself entirely to Sirius, she knew he'd be able to get her mind off of things. Mindlessly she let Sirius lead her out to the middle of the McKinnon's living room and swing her in a circle.

"Something on your mind?" Sirius asked sincerely.

"Huh?" Lily blanked. "What makes you say that?"

"Well we are the only two dancing and most people are staring and you haven't whacked me over the head," Sirius told her.

Lily blinked. She glanced around the room, noticing that quite a few people were staring, but even more surprisingly she noticed just how little it bothered her. Which was new to her. She rolled her eyes at him.

"I haven't ruled it out yet," she said.

Sirius guffawed. "Come on buttercup – tell me what's wrong?"

Lily swept Sirius around the room, nearly causing him to knock over a vase of half bloomed, blood red roses. He stared at her, one brow cocked.

"What happened to Lily Evans?" Sirius said mockingly.

"Got an update," Lily told him, but her voice was measured.

"Okay now you're plain weirding me out," Sirius said. He slowed their dance, mindlessly nodding in the direction of a few wolf whistles from Marlene's older cousins. "This hasn't got anything to do with Moony does it?"

"Who?" Lily said.

"Remus," Sirius corrected himself. "Is this new Lily thing got to do with the whole Remus, Marlene shabam?"

"Not directly," Lily said. "More in a allegorical way."

"Lost me sugerplum."

"Do you actually use these pet names on girls?"

Sirius snorted. "As if," he said. "Although if I did I daresay it'd still work."

"James calls me Bug," Lily pointed out. "And don't be arrogant."

He choose to ignore her last remark. "Yeah but Bug isn't exactly – well it isn't exactly a cute name," Sirius said.

Lily shrugged. "I don't mind it." Then she seemed to realise what she'd just said – and thereby insinuated – and clamped a hand over her mouth, shocked. Sirius' "nicknames" were laughable, but James' new name for her was actually – well she actually liked it.

"What?" Sirius said clueless, looking over his shoulder. "Is there something on my face? Or has my hair gone flat?"

Lily chuckled. "You lose your charm when you say things like that."

"All I heard was "your charm"," Sirius chanted. "Glad to know it is being recognised."

"Prat," Lily retorted.

Sirius shrugged. "Come on – let's go sort out your issues?"

"What?" Lily said enraged. "I don't have issues –"

"The Marlene one," Sirius said loudly.

"Shut up," Lily hissed. Luckily for the two of them, no one seemed to be paying them any more attention. "Look even if I did have a problem with Marlene at the moment I don't want someone else involved in it. And besides, it isn't really something she did but more of someone she was raised to be. I can't go criticising her for something her parents and your stupid wizarding norms instilled into her."

"Come off it Lily," Sirius said.

"What?"

"Don't tell me the Muggle world doesn't have stupid biases too? Don't go shaming the wizarding world," Sirius said. His voice had taken on a hardened quality, and Lily suddenly felt a hundred times smaller than Sirius.

"Sorry," she mumbled mindlessly. Her mind was still spinning, trying to peg all of the things Sirius was saying to her together. Was he implying that what Marlene had done – the things she'd said – were all forgivable? "So you're saying I should forgive her?"

"I dunno," he said. "Well I mean eventually yes. It was just instinctual to her. But if she isn't heavily regretting her words then you're not going to be the only one who is mad with her."

"Ugh," Lily moaned. "I swear you just make things more complex."

"Default mechanism," he said, winking. "One of my many charms."

JAMES POV

James marched into the McKinnon's kitchen, frustrated. He'd been looking for his cousin, ready to congratulate him and instead had endured countless high fives and slaps on the shoulder from the many, many Hogwarts students that were here. One of the definite downsides of pureblood families where how they were all inter-related. News spread way to fast. His new relationship with Lily was still sparkling new to him, and he was starting to hate how everyone also knew about it. And besides, he wasn't even sure he had a relationship with Lily yet. They'd only kissed once, and he'd stuffed it up royally.

Groaning, he went straight to his Uncle's liquor cabinet.

"What do you think you're doing?" Marlene questioned. James hadn't noticed her leaned up against the sink, a glass of something that didn't look like Pumpkin Juice in her hand.

"I'm of age," James retorted.

"Bit touchy are we?"

"What are you doing Marlene?" James said, finally turning to face his cousin properly. Her face was scrunched up in a frown and her fingers were trembling slightly. All together it was quite an unnerving sight.

"Nothing," she said. "Having a breather."

"No why are you picking on us?"

"Us?" Marlene repeated. She turned her stare to the floor.

"Yeah first Sirius, then Remus and now me," James said. "I'm guessing you're saving Peter for next week."

"I didn't pick – I'm not picking on you," she said nervously. Her expression wavered.

"Fine," James said. "Deny it. I'm not in the mood to start pointing out flaws."

"You're angry at me?" Marlene whispered. James was astonished to hear her voice waver. The last time he'd seen his cousin cry was when he'd finally outflown her in a family Quidditch match when they were eight.

"I'm angry at how you've treated my friends," James told her. Feeling a little guilty at the blatant accusation in his words he added, "you can fix it though."

"I know," Marlene muttered. "I know Sirius didn't cheat on me, and I know that Remus is still the same person but –"

"You hate change," James pointed out. "You hold grudges for like ever. And you're a tiny teensy bit prejudice."

Before Marlene could reply, the kitchen door slammed open and Henry glided in, a huge smile on his face. As soon as he saw the two seventh years the gleam in his eyes died down a little bit. He glanced between them, instantly noticing the drinks in their hands.

"You're missing the party," Henry said. His words were slurred and his body swaying a little, but there was something in his voice that made James feel instantly guilty. The door slammed open again and Sirius burst in, dragging a half laughing, half angry Lily. He slowed instantly at the scene.

"Uhh," Sirius started.

"You're more than welcome to raid Dad's liquor," Henry said. He pointed at James and Marlene. "These two already have."

"See," Sirius beamed, dragging Lily into the spotlight. "I told you he wouldn't mind."

Lily smiled hesitantly. James smiled at his two friends, wondering what they'd been talking about to have allowed Lily to be dragged by Sirius towards the hard liquor. Then he realised the smile hadn't been directed towards him, but Marlene and he cringed a little. Now wasn't the best time to confront Marlene or make peace or whatever Lily was planning on doing. He'd definitely rubbed his cousin the wrong way, and she was bound to fire up at the smallest thing.

"Wow," Henry said. "Talk about the elephant in the room."

James – thinking it was probably safe to leave Sirius alone with Marlene – asked Lily if she wanted to dance. Guiltily she looked at Sirius – was she asking for permission? James paused, wondering what he'd missed.

"Okay I am leaaaa-ving," Henry sang.

As soon as he was gone, Marlene folded her arms and glared at Sirius and Lily, almost daring them to both start an argument.

"What's going on?" James said.

"What? Now you're playing the naïve fool?" Marlene hissed. "Leave if it's bothering –"

"I don't think he was talking to you," Sirius interrupted her evenly.

Marlene blanched. James was surprised to notice the blush that stained her cheeks. "I –" She started softly, uncertainly even.

"How about we play a game," Sirius said.

"Really?" Lily snapped. She stepped away from Sirius, her face furious. "This was your freaking idea?"

James blinked. "What –"

"No," Lily shouted, holding a hand up. She pointed a shaking finger at her pale-faced friend. "You messed this up. First you blamed Sirius for something he didn't do, then you completely destroyed Remus for something that isn't even his fault! And you're not even feeling guilty or upset about it!"

Marlene pushed off of the bench, slamming her drink onto the bench. "Shut up," Marlene screamed. "You think you're so perfect, that you have everything worked out. You can't even wrap your selfish little brain around how others might be feeling."

"Marlene," James said in a low tone.

"Let her finish," Lily said sharply. Her voice was too even, too neutral.

"You think your life is so hard, don't you? Oh no my sister is marrying a complete dickhead. Oh no the Slytherins keep picking on me. Oh no my best friend is actually a death eater and he tried to kill the boy I keep stringing along. Poor you."

James couldn't believe the words that were blurting from his cousin's mouth. And, even worse, he wasn't sure how he was supposed to feel about it. He'd never heard Lily complain about her life before – ever – she was always so composed and carefully. But despite all of this everyone seemed to know about it anyway.

"Okay kinda was expecting this to go in a different way," Sirius said, scratching his head.

"Shut up," both girls screamed.

Sirius blinked. Lily and Marlene both wore matching expressions of frustration and annoyance.

"I never asked for the Slytherins to hate me," Lily told her best friend.

"I know," Marlene whispered. "Merlin's beard do I get that. And I didn't ask to feel this way. It's inexcusable what I said to Remus – and I feel terrible every day about it."

"Then why don't you apologise?" Lily said.

"Because it won't change anything," Marlene said, her voice wavering. She rubbed something from her eye. "Those things that I said – in the moment – I meant them. I really hated him in those few minutes. My Dad – if he ever found out…"

"Found out what?" Lily pressed.

James' hand trembled around his drink. He brought it to his lips, throwing back a huge swig of fire whiskey.

"My Dad's brother was killed by a werewolf," Marlene told her. Lily gasped, her hand spasming. "When Dad was nine. Isaac was eleven."

"I'm sorry –"

"Don't be sorry I didn't even know him," Marlene snapped. "But Dad told me stories about him. He would make up stories for Henry and me and the villain was always a werewolf. I'm not trying to find an excuse it's just that when I found out I felt like I was a kid again – scared of Dad's stories, scared of the werewolf."

"Maybe if you told Remus this?" Lily said.

"What tell him that there's another person out there that hates his very guts even though he's never met him," Marlene scoffed.

"You owe him some sort of apology," James pointed out.

Sirius nodded in agreement. "He'd want to here your side – "

"Will him?" Marlene growled.

LILY POV

Lily fiddled with her wand, rolling it between her fingers, staring glumly at it as if it might sprout some intellectual answers. Nothing. The porch lights fizzled above her. She could still hear the party roaring inside even though it was nearing two in the morning. The Marlene's house was like something from a fairy tale.

She imagined their house to be a huge castle. And the McKinnon's to be very well renowned Ladies and Lords. Lily wasn't a peasant exactly, but more of a commoner amongst them. Most of the families were connected in some way – cousins, Aunts, parents, siblings, newly weds – just like most Royal families. Earlier in the night Alice had pointed out that she'd never seen so many Purebloods gathered together.

The thought had striked Lily as worrying for some reason. But it also gave her a weird sense of loneliness. She wasn't even sure how to describe it – she loved being a Muggleborn, loved having a loving, if sometimes dysfunctional, family to return to. She loved having the escape. After she tore apart her friendship with Snape, the Muggle world comforted her. But there was a definite sense of exclusion, of missing out on something vital. There were blood connections in that house stronger than iron, but there was also a steel thread connecting each and every single person.

"What are you thinking about?" A voice asked from behind her.

Lily was so startled out of her thoughts that she nearly toppled over the porch. She spun around to find James looking curiously down at her. Without saying anything, he sat down beside her, an unreadable expression on his face. Lily wasn't sure if he was upset, nervous, mad or – scared? It was unsettling.

"What are you doing out here?" Lily asked.

"Having a breather," James responded instantly.

Lily wasn't so convinced, but if he were checking up on her wouldn't he have just said so? Then, she had interesting thought. She wasn't exactly sure if it was wise to bring up what was probably another touchy subject, not after what had happened between her, Marlene and the boys. James' world wasn't only just small and interconnected, it was probably claustrophobic and suffocating at times.

"Just say it," James said. His words were blunt, but he seemed to realise since he added in a softer tone, "you don't have to censor your thoughts – around me, I mean." He turned away from her, flustered. "I mean, I want to hear what you are thinking."

Lily nodded slowly. "It is a bit –" She hesitated, unsure. After Sirius had reprimanded her for insulting the Magical World, she wasn't too intent on doing it again. James nodded encouragingly, weirdly eager. Or maybe he just wanted to get the talk over with. "Suffocating. It's suffocating in there."

James blinked. "Wait. What?"

Lily instantly froze. He wasn't having a breather because he found his family and friends too suffocating – why would she even think that – he was having a breather because of Marlene. "The thing that's happening between Marlene and Remus and Sirius. It's suffocating."

James didn't look too convinced by he nodded anyway. "It's my fault," he said. "The way she got so mad. I wound her up before."

"Why on earth would that be your fault James," Lily said sharply.

"Because I snapped at –"

"So did I," Lily interrupted. "We all did. I don't hate her, but I think I did in there."

"Yeah," James mumbled.

"Urgh, I'm sorry," Lily said, clambering to her feet. "I'm ruining your cousins night. I know it's late but do you want to grab something to eat, I'm starving."

James nodded, taking the hand Lily offered him and following her inside. It didn't feel awkward, Lily realised, even despite the fact that she'd thrown herself onto him days ago. She wasn't sure how it felt – his hand was gentle but a little too warm, soft but also calloused. It felt comfortable – nice. She smiled, a blush creeping across her face. It felt right.