CHAPTER 16

Marlene stood nervously on the edge of the Hogwarts express, her eyes scanning the crowd for her friends. The smile on her face was quickly dissipating, and her blonde hair was attracting attention. Dissapointed, she turned away from the platform and trudged back inside, past the apartment with Sirius and James in. She didn't want to see them right now.

Her parents hadn't turned up over the holidays. They'd been sorting out a recent death eater attack in Alabama. Hannah had managed to dye her hair, before catching James on a phone call with Alice, screaming that he was cheating on her, and broke up with him. The fact he'd broke down laughing at the fact of him and Alice probably hadn't helped. Sirius had turned up halfway through and then they all ended up going swimming unfortunately. He'd looked unbearably hot and Marlene had spent the rest of the holidays inside so she wouldn't end up staring at him. It had been pretty lousy to be honest, and she really was not in the mood.

Speaking of her hair, James and Sirius had laughed themselves stupid and the change in colour was really quite drastic. It was too blonde to start with and she was definitely attracting some funny looks from the people in the carrige next to her. Wait, that was Mary and Alice! She slid open the door.

'Merlins beard Marlene!' Alice looked slightly bewildered. 'Thats you right? Your hair is just so, like, blonde. And not Mary blonde, me blonde!' She put down the carton of apple juice she'd been drinking from.

'Don't remind me.' Marlene looked away, eyes blazing. She felt reluctant to sit down.

'How was your summer?' Lily piped up from the corner, flicking through a magasine. She was secretly paying attention but didn't want Marlene to know that, truth be told, she was still angry from before.

'Lousey.' She growled. 'I'm so bummed. My parents were supposed to come to Spain with us and they didn't turn up. I did however, get accepted as an unspeakable so that's the one good thing that came of it-' She was so annoyed. Everthing that could've gone wrong did. She wasn't even sure what she wanted any more.

'you what?!' Mary looked angry. 'You could've given us warning.' She balled her hands into fists, then sat on them, regaining her composure. 'I mean,' she coughed awkwardly. 'Are you sure that is the best career path for you?'

'I did!' Marlene hissed. 'Last term, remember? And yes, who said it was up to you?'

'Oh eff off!' Alice yelled. 'That was complete BS! Gods sake Marly, why are you screwing up your life. Give your friends some warning! And no need to be mean to Mary, what did she ever do to you? She can control her anger, unlike you!'

'Well maybe I don't need you as friends!' Marlene screamed, standing up and storming out, the glass cracking slightly at the corners.

'Reparo.' Lily said casually, flicking her wand towards it. 'Well somebodies having a bad day.' Her mind was whirring and she continued reading about the new film which was out. Even now, she liked to find out what was up with the muggle world. Her summer had been jam packed at Centre Parcs and she was exhausted from all the challenges there. Petunia hadn't helped.

'I know right,' Alice continued, tearing open a chocolate frog card. 'Me and Frank had the talk over the holidays.' As quickly as that, she dismissed Marlene. She refused to start another arguement, not when she was so happy.

'Oooooh,' Mary looked up from taking the nail polish off her nails. 'How did it go?'

'Well,' Alice's face broadened out into her smile, and she flashed them her left hand. On it, was a glittering emerald on a golden band. This didn't go unnoticed by Lily and Mary, who's jaws dropped. 'we're getting married.'

Lily choked on her drink.

'That. Is. Insane!' Her mouth broke out into a smile. 'I can't believe ohmigod I'm so happy for you! Eeeek!' She dropped her bottle of water on the floor with a thud. She clapped excitedly.

'Hey Alice do you mind if I-' Frank was jumped on by Mary.

'I'm so happy.' Tears streamed down her face as she hugged him. Frank and the other behind him looked so confused.

'You told them already?' He rolled his eyes. But he wasn't angry, the only thing was adoration.

'Told them what?' Remus raised and eyebrow, eyes narrowed.

'Come in come in, everybody sit down.' James, Sirius, Remus and Peter all squashed in and sat down. Everybody looked up at Frank and Alice, apart from Lily, who was giggling furiously behind a magasine. She ignored the look from Mary and hid behind it even more. Alice rolled her eyes then turned to Frank, grabbing his hand.

'We're getting married!' Frank grinned at Alice, and leaned down to kiss her.

'No way!'

'Thats amazing!'

'Oh my god, congradulations!'

'Wow!' Sirius laughed. 'Do you have a date?'

'Actually, yes. 'Alice smiled shyly. 'Christmas eve. We're having a winter wedding, you're all invited. It's going to be at Hogwarts, hopefully anyway. I've got to go and see Dumbledore.' She looked nervously at Frank, who squeezed her hand in reassurance.

'Well don't worry, he's definitely going to say yes.' Remus grinned.

'Will you be my best man mate?' Frank looked at him.

'Of course!' Remus laughed.

'I was going to ask you, but you will be my bridesmaids, you've got no choice!' Alice smiled tearfully. 'It's going to be the best wedding ever.'

'Wait, what about Marlene?' Peter frowned. 'Where is she?'

'I don't even care any more, she's invited but I doubt she'll come.' Alice rolled her eyes. 'She was such a jerk to Mary earlier on. Plus, she's applied for an unspeakable.' None of the group looked surprised. 'Not to mention she complained about her holiday.'

'Haha yeah, don't even remind me of that holiday. She literally just drooled over Padfoot here, all day long from the balcony.' James smirked.

'Just because I'm fabulous,' Sirius flicked a bit of hair over his shoulder, doing a duck face, making everyone crack up. 'Well either way, it's too cramped in here so we'll move out and let you girls discuss whatever you like to in your spare time! Come on.' Lily couldn't tell if it was a deliberate move or just very, very good timing.

And with that, they all filed out, smiling and laughing.

'Lily?' Alice turned to her, eyebrows raised. 'Spill the beans.'

Lily lowered the magazine, blushing furiously. She covered her mouth with her hand to stop her from laughing again. Alice and Mary looked on, amused. Her head was buzzing with the angel and the devil.

Go on Lily, tell them that you have a crush on him. It'll be fine, they'll help you. No need to be embarrassed, if two of your friends are getting married I think you can have a frickin crush.

Don't bother. They'lll just make fun of you, what's the point? Lie or something, lke about Remus' tie. I don't know.

Tell them!

'Lily ?'

'I have a crush on Sirius!' She blurted out. Why did you say that? You douchebag!

'What the actual hell?' Mary grinned. 'Seriously?' (haha no pun inteneded there!'

'I'm sorry!' Lily blurted, almost crying at her own stupidity. She wanted to slap herself.

Alice's mouth was dropped right open.

'Is that why you never said yes to James?'

Tell her. She said his name. You can quickly patch this out of it isn't why. Just tell them you like him!

'Yes!' Lily blurted. 'That's why.' Oh, wow. You suck at this kind of thing.

'Oh. My. God.' Alice casually stuck her wand out of the window, and muttered the thought bubble enchantment. All she could think was Lily likes Sirius. She guiltiy watched as a pink bubble floated off outside. SHe could only hope next door found it.

'Hey look!' Remus pointed outside of their carrige, watching the bubble. 'Isn't that Alice's thought bubble?'

'Accio bubble!' Frank replied, watching it zoom towards him. 'Let's pop it!' He caught it neatly before jabbing his wand into it. Alice's voice rung out.

Lily likes Sirius.

Remus' mouth gaped open.

'No way!' James laughed.

Sirius looked horrified.

'What am I supposed to do now?'

'You gotta live with it mate!' Frank was clutching his stomach hysterically. During the summer, he'd spent a lot of time with the boys and had got to know them a lot more.

Sirius shook his head in disbelief. He looked so distressed.

'Well, who'd've knew?'

-a little while later-

'Come on!' Alice held her hand out to Frank. They were getting off the Hogwarts express and the girls were waiting for them.

Sirius stood awkawrdly in the corner of the carriage, as Lily picked up one of his bags. He felt transfixed, yet nervously fidgeted.

'You ready Sirius?' She picked up his bag, but then he relaxed.

For although she was holding out his bag, and looking at him. For a split second, her eyes flickered to James, and she went too red. Nobody else had seen it, although they thought she was red from looking at him. Alice elbowed her, giggling. And as they turned to go, Lily caught his eye, and shook her head slightly. He winked back, before leaving the train.

AUTHORS NOTE!

Hi guys, so this was a quick update! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know it's quite rushed but I really wanted to get across how serious Alice and Frank are and then the thought for Lily and Sirius just came to me. Although they know it's true between them because I wanted to get across their friendship now. New chapter on Friday, promise! x