Lily Evans crossed her arms looking at the face of the boy she hated for 80% of her school life, "and what do you want" she said eyes glad to be able to talk to him in a harsh way again she honestly didn't know how to do it any different when it came to him.
James paused then as if he were waiting for something.
Lily noticed Dorcas and Marlene hanging back to see if she was ok Lily smiled internally she really did have amazing friends.
At that moment however Lupin walked forward "Ummmmmm Marlene can I have a word?" he asked politely Marlene looked shocked and Lily grinned even more internally she had always wondered about those two.
"Ummm yeah I urr guess so" said Marlene awkwardly she really did love his tie the two walked off somewhere else in the room.
Sirius then walked over to Dorcas and gestured a hand with his old Black smile "care to dance" he said.
"What and have to teach you how?" asked Dorcas arms crossed like Lily's.
"I'll have you know I am the tango chapion of 1976" said Siruis striking a ridiculous pose and pulling a rose from god knows where almost like magic (ahahahah get it).
"I know but ummm…" began Dorcas looking back at Lily she didn't really want to abandon her to Potter the red head could undoubtedly handle herself around him but Dorcas still wanted to be there for you.
"Well if you can't dance I get it" said Sirius interrupting Dorcas's thoughts loudly.
"You saying I can't dance Black?" Asked Dorcas showing her competitive side Black smiled taking a step forward almost nose to nose with her.
"No I'm saying I'm a better dancer than you" he said quietly Dorcas immediately took a step back took his hand and led him to the dance floor Sirius looked surprise but like he was enjoying himself.
Lily turned to James angry (as usual when it came to him) "so what you make it so that your friends get rid of my friends so you can get me alone" said Lily.
"No I just wanted to talk alone I figured it would be better to say what I wanted to say" Lily was going to argue but James was probably right she knew it was harder to say something to someone with their friends watching for that reason alone she stayed silent and waited for him to speak.
James however was not used to Lily not challenging everything he did so he waited for her to say something.
"I'm waiting" said Lily rolling her eyes.
"oh ok Ummmmmm" began James awkwardly Lily's lips twitched she almost liked Potter like this all awkward and unsure it was almost normal James saw Lily's lip twitch and that gave him strength so he ploughed on more confident.
"Lily listen us constantly arguing and getting on each other's nerves and always hating each other is ridiculous and it driving me crazy so with that in mind I think we should be friend" said James very quickly as if he needed to get the words out Lily felt herself get angry.
"For the last time Potter I don't like you I never will date you I'm not inte… 'wait what?'" she asked dumbfounded.
"I think we should be friends" said James sounding so sure of himself Lily was surprised.
"Ok" said calmly it was hard to say at that moment who was more surprised James or Lily.
James grinned ear to ear "wow umm wow that's great ummm awesome I guess I'll be seeing you then" he said and before Lily could stop him he was gone probably gone to go find his mates.
'why the hell did I do that' she thought ' I mean honestly what the hell two months ago you would rather die that even consider being anything including friends with James fucking Potter' then it hit her like a hippogriff hits an arrogant dickhead or a person hits an arrogant person or really anything hitting an arrogant person (arrogant people deserve hits) his wasn't two months ago this was now and she had already been thinking about being friends with Potter plus if Marlene and Remus ever did get together then she'd probably have to be friends with Potter anyway she may not like it but sooner or later Lily Evans would have eventually been friends with James potter and apparently it was sooner so Lily shrugged and returned to the party.
James was ecstatic he felt like electricity was running through his body Lily Evans didn't hate him happy day happy day it was then that Padfoot came wondering up to him he looked sweaty from dancing his well-muscled body hung limp around him and his usually incredibly attractive face slack and tired like Dorcas really put him through his paces.
"Hey prongs" said Sirius putting his arm around James as he always did whenever he wanted something from his best friend "me and Dorcas were thinking of playing a game of truth or dare with the guys and some Gryffindor's?"
"Yeah sure" said James a smile on his face Sirius was surprised James hated truth or dare last time he played he ended up semi naked and grinding a tree Sirius looked at his friend.
"So how'd the chat with Evans go?" he asked suspecting only Evans could make his friend this crazy James smiled dreamily then shook himself trying to regain some of his usual swagger and coolness.
"Actually great" said James looking slightly confused.
"Wait so the girl whose friend you hung by their angles only 4 months ago has now agreed to be you friend?" Asked Sirius very confused.
"Yeah" James said frowning.
"You need to teach me how you did that" said Sirius grinning at James grinned and put his arm round his mate they began walking.
"So Padfoot any girls in this group of friends" said James smiling.
"Some really hot ones why? you wanting to make Evans jealous or something?" asked Sirius.
"No just ya know experience" said James uncertainly Sirius raised his eyebrows 'experience that's the kind of thing I would say prongs isn't like that' James continued more confidently "well if me and Lily ever are gonna be a thing I don't want her to like be my first date and first everything else ya know?"James said awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.
Now between any other two friends of the male sex this would be a forbidden utterance of first times actually mattering but when it came to James and Sirius they were more like brothers they could talk about anything.
"What are you talking about firsts I've seen you snog loads of girls" said Sirius severely confuzzeled.
"Yeah but I never ya know" said James and when Sirius looked confused he made an extremely suggest movement with his fingers Sirius raised his eyebrows astounded.
"OOOHHH" said Sirius.
"Yeah" said James awkwardly.
"What like ever."
"Nope."
"Really."
"Ummmm noooo."
"Huh" said Sirius "why the hell not" James smiled and rolled his eyes at his friend.
"Cause I was ya know waiting. For her" said James knowing Sirius would know exactly who he meant Sirius did snorted into his drink and did a spit take in a bark of laughter James smelled rum he supposed the punch had already been spiked then.
"AHAHAH so what like are you afraid someone else is gonna take your flower" barked Sirius giggling all the while James rolled his eyes and Sirius sobered up a bit "so what's changed" said Sirius curiosity overwhelming his explosive humour.
"What do you mean" said James pushing his glasses back up his nose and brow creasing like it did when he was thinking.
"Well" started Sirius in a voice one would use if talking to and idiot "you said you wanted experience and you were asking after girls" said Sirius suggestively eyebrows wiggling and winking at a passing girl.
"N-n-no its just you know I figured maybe just a good night talking to some girls and trying to increase my flirting ability's" said James matter of factly as if he were talking about swapping out a seeker for a game of quidditch.
"What you figured that just shouting at lily to go out with you every day wasn't working for you?" said Remus with an uncharacteristically goofy grin on his face bursting seemingly out of nowhere with Peter in tow.
"Did you appear out of this air just to insult me" asked James in mock irritation.
"Well Sirius was doing a rather awful job of it so we thought we'd help" said Peter his watery excitable eyes glittering with laughter.
"Let's not bicker here people" said Sirius in a diplomatic official and powerful voice as if addressing a crowd before battle "we must help our friend in a time of great need" he wrapped his arms around his friends huddling together as if they were rugby players in half time (that's right rugby cause this is England BIATCH) "Ok James here needs some flirting experience with the ladies" said Sirius deepening his voice at the word 'ladies' "therefore we're gonna have to get this party started."
"Let's do it" said Remus loudly whooping all the marauders stared at him in surprise Remus was the well-mannered and quiet of the four friends he didn't shout and he most certainly didn't whoop they decided to find out about it later now was the time to get drunk flirt dance and generally live the life young men of their calibre should although James had a feeling Remus's good mood could be attributed to a certain attractive blond with curly hair and a purple dress so without further ado they all grabbed a bottle and hooked arms as the music got louder and faster around them James shouted above the music.
"You remember what happened last time we all got drunk together I suppose."
"Nope" they all said in unison grinning.
"Yeah me neither" said James and they all downed their bottles and got ready for on hell of a night.
6:00 (an hour and a half before the party) Marlene's residence
Sleep is amazing.
Honestly it is one of the best things in the world.
Especially in the morning, because then you seem to find yourself in the most comfortable position.
Every part of your body is nestled on something soft, and the world around you seems to be made up of some kind of fluffy cloud.
So thought Marlene before being woken up by one of her best friends. Dorcas Meadows. A friend with whom she shared every secret her thoughts fears and more or less everything really, more of a sister than a friend.
Marlene immediately hit her over the head with the closest object she could find, which unfortunately for Dorcas was a 1200 page book on every useful herb and fungi used in potions. Marlene smiled, satisfied and went back to sleep.
Unfortunately Dorcas immediately got up grinned got right up close to Marlene's ear and shouted very loudly.
"MMMAAARRRLLLYYY MY LOVE YOU MUST GET UP FOR THE PARTY."
"Bugger off mmsleepin" said Marlene tiredly.
"Now now Marley you wouldn't want to go missing the party now would you" said Dorcas, Marlene imagined she had her hands on her hips and a fake strict look on her face, I say imagine because she still hadn't opened her eyes.
"Mmmm what party" mumbled Marlene genuinely too tired to remember
"Pete's party" said Dorcas, Marlene's eyes flew open. Surprised.
"Who's party?" she asked, not quite believing it.
"Pete's party… I feel like I've already said this."
"Wait as in Peter Pettigrew."
"Well he is the only Peter we know so yes" said Dorcas rolling her eyes.
"Peter Pettigrew as in one of the members of the marauders, as in Potter, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew."
"Yep" said Dorcas popping the P happily.
"Ummmmmm why in the hell would I want to go to Peter Pettigrew's party" said Marlene eyebrow raised quizzically.
"Because we're invited" said Dorcas as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Ok" said Marlene patiently, thinking that she'd rather wake up a bucket of ice water than argue with Dorcas Meadows when she's got her mind set on something, "let me rephrase the question why do you want to go to the party and why should I come as well."
"I'll tell you why Marlene, Marley Marls, ole Marlsaroony" said Dorcas grinning as she made Marlene's name sound all the more ridiculous. Sitting on the foot of the bed, she flicked her hair out of her eyes, it was long and brown and easily reached the small of her back.
She was beautiful by anyone's standards, with hair and eyes the colour of chocolate and red lips that seemed capable of either a warm smile or a slightly cocky smirk which she was wearing now.
She was around medium height for a girl of 16, however the heels she nearly always wore granted her a couple more inches.
Dorcas insisted she wore them because she wanted to be just that much taller than Lily however, Marlene was convinced it was just so she could feel taller than the deuce bag Slytherin boys who would always watch here as she walked by in the great hall.
Marlene might have been be jealous of her most attractive friend, if Dorcas wasn't as loyal and good a friend as she was If occasionally annoying, speaking of which.
"Marlseroonybaboony Fantasmic friend Of mine…"
"Ok ok I get it you can make my name sound funny well done you special person" said Marlene said giving her my most fake smile clapping slowly in the sarcastic 80s fashion "Anyway" she said quickly before Dorcas could interrupt "Why are we all going to Peters party?"
"Because I think it would be fun, I mean it might be ideal if we had some friends other than just you me and lily and maybe had some male friends I mean we spend so much time together people are beginning to spread rumours of us all be lesbians and don't get me wrong your pretty Marley but I don't swing that way" said Dorcas all very quickly.
"OK I see your point…" said Marlene hesitantly "But two problems" Dorcas raised her eyebrows expectantly.
"Lily?" sighed Dorcas.
"Yep" Marlene said "You know she'll never go to a party that all the marauders are going to, especially if it's in Potter manor."
"It is" said Dorcas biting the inside of her cheek.
"Well then" Marlene said sitting up in her PJs and patting Dorcas on the head affectionately "Your fucked my brown eyed friend now, get out I need to get dressed" so with that she got her PJed ass out of bed and shoved Dorcas out of the room then closed the door behind her.
Marlene heard her friend slide down the door outside and land with a soft thud on the ground, she proceeded to continue speaking like it was a normal conversation.
"What about if we just trick her tell her it's a normal party, no marauders included" Suggested Dorcas hopefully.
"Never gonna work, she'd get there get one look at potter hit both of us and leave" said Marlene said looking for a mirror to get a look at herself when she remembered she was staying at Lily's for a visit over the holidays, and the guest room she was staying in had no mirror. Marlene then began to get dressed blind, a big no no for most girls but it was summer and she really didn't care that much.
"Ok how difficult could it really be to convince her?" asked Dorcas her voice raising in pitch from desperation. Marlene raised an eyebrow despite no one being actually in the room as she pulled on her socks she said.
"You mean how hard could it be to convince our friend Lily Evans to spend time in the same room as all four marauders by choice?"
"Yeah" Dorcas said insistently, confident.
"The same marauders who charmed every book with more than 300 pages to scream nerd when they were opened" said Marlene.
"Yeah" Dorcas said less confident.
"The same four delinquents who made the great hall rain rainbow coloured dye that didn't wash out unless you said the words 'the marauders are so dam sexy it's almost unfair.'"
"Ummmmmm yeah" Dorcas said lamely.
"The same four brunette bastards who flipped her best friend Severus Snape upside down which led to him calling her a mudblood only 4 months ago."
"Damn it" Dorcas sighed she may have gone on, however at that point her face was shoved into the carpet as the door she was leaning on was opened, pushing her forward and Marlene strode out of the open door.
"Ok let's do it" said Marlene helping her friend up from the floor.
"Wait what" said Dorcas spluttering from surprise when she was on her feet.
"Well you're actually right" Marlene admitted, Dorcas's jaw dropped.
"I'm so sorry Marley I didn't know" she said placing her hand on Marlene's shoulder.
"What in the name of merlin are you talking about" she said shifting Dorcas's hand off her shoulder.
"What are you dying of, I mean that would explain why you're so pale and suddenly agreeing with me" sobbed Dorcas theatrically Marlene smiled at her friends general ridiculous and sighed.
"I'm agreeing with you because for once you're actually makin… 'Wait what do you mean pale.'"
"Nothing absolutely nothing" said Dorcas seeing the severe look on her friends face nearly taking a step away Marlene rolled her eyes and they began walking away from the guest room.
"Ok so the reason I'm willing to do it or at least try to convince her is because for once in your life your right there are many new friends to be made at that party and I'd rather Lily were friends with even the marauders than Snape" Dorcas's nose wrinkled from disgust at the sound of Snape's name both of them hated the greasy Slytherin after what he had done to lily "The only problem is" Marlene continued "Is that Lily will never ever go as she thinks all marauders are complete scum, and to be fair to her they really haven't helped to convince her otherwise."
"Hey Black and Pettigrew aren't that bad" said Dorcas a little defensively Marlene snorted in a very non lady like way.
"I'll give you Pettigrew purely because he doesn't do anything except cheer them on but black… really he's worse than Potter you just like him because you think he's gorgeous" said Marlene smiling smugly to her surprise Dorcas actually blushed and Dorcas never blushed 'Mmmm maybe there's some truth to what I'm saying' thought Marlene.
"In the words of our dear friend Lily 'I would rather date the giant squid'" said Dorcas but Marlene couldn't help notice a small tinge of red in her friends cheeks "Anyway" she said quickly as if she could read Marlene's thoughts and wanted to change the subject "How are we gonna get Lily to that party and also why are we at the bathroom" she said gesturing to the bathroom door where they had stopped.
"We're here because it's the only room in this whole damn house with a mirror" said Marlene throwing my hands up in a very dramatic Dorcas like way "And I want to know how I look before maybe going to a party that every person in our year is attending" Dorcas smiled one friend convinced lily should be easy she would come if both her and Marlene went she would never abandon her friends to a party all alone she grinned even wider this was gonna be one hell of a party
3AM (after the party) back to Lily's house
"I-i-i looovvveee you guys" slurred Dorcas hiccupping slightly as she stumbled into Lily's room "seriously you guys are so great I love you so much."
"Shut up dorky your drunk" said Marlene giggling at more or less nothing as she stumbled into the room hot on Dorcas's heels.
"HOW DARE YOU MARLENEY I AM OURTRAGED BEYOND MEASURE" shouted Dorcas theatrically fainting but as drunk as she was actually falling onto the floor Marlene burst out laughing she adored he friends they were such magnificent idiots especially when they were shit faced as they were speaking of friends.
"Where the fucks Lilers" said Marlene voice muffled via her face being buried in the bed there was groan and a certain red head flopping into the room literally falling over the threshold of the room giggling like a fool.
"I'm here" said Lily rather unnecessarily she giggled at seemingly nothing she was most certainly the most drunk out of all the girls and the least used to being so drunk she seemingly wasn't handling it awfully well she jumped up stumbled and grabbed Dorcas face to steady herself then nodded to herself and ran out onto the balcony Marlene and Dorcas exchanged half exasperated half happy and half-drunk look (wait that doesn't work) they proceeded to stumble after her they found there friend standing on the balcony London's west end before them in all its glory she stood there doing something so utterly un-lilyish she was smoking a cigarette Marlene and Dorcas stood there for a second in stunned silence then Dorcas walked right up to Lily her and started squeezing her cheeks shaking them violently Lily spluttered.
"What was that for" Dorcas looked at Lily as if she was some kind of alien.
"Wanted to check that it was actually you."
"What the definitive check for that is by squeezing cheeks." said Marlene giggling
"Well no but it made you drop on of these things" said Dorcas producing a cigarette and lighting it "these things will kill you ya know" she said disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
"She's right Lil they are awful" said Marlene vision slightly blurry as she produced her own cigarette and lighting it lily went red and stomped her foot in a rather childish manner.
"Fucking bloody shit gimmie a fag" shouted Lily her temper showing rather adorably as she was barely 5 foot and swearing was such a new experience for her being your average head girl as she most certainly was.
"Alright no need to get in a hissy just cause you didn't get to shag Potter" said Dorcas brandishing another fag from her seemingly endless supply.
"Oh shut up Dorky we all know you want black" said Lily poking out a blue tongue blue no doubt due to the many exotic drinks she had had that night Dorcas stood slightly stunned whilst Marlene giggled choked on smoke and coughing loudly.
"Ummmmmm excuse me I'd prefer to shag a cactus" said Dorcas slightly red in the cheeks.
"You would shag a cactus is it looked like Sirius" said Marlene joining in on the fun.
"Ummmm excuse me when did this become about me?" questioned Dorcas shrilly "we're supposed to taunt Lily and then I'll say that Potters not to bad and Lily will go on a rant whilst we sneak off and then she'll run after us and we'll chat and have fun THAT'S HOW THIS WORKS."
"Oh no me and Potter are so last year" said Lily winking at Dorcas.
"Yeah anyway what's wrong with Sirius I think he's pretty cute" said Marlene slyly.
"He is rather handsome isn't he?" said Lily catching on Dorcas's eyes flashed.
"He's fucking gorgeous" she stated rather plainly "however that doesn't mean I want any of what he's offering."
"Now why not" said Marlene eyebrows raised "he's meant to be the school sex king isn't he?"
"Exactly" exclaimed Dorcas slamming her fist into her palm "he probably has every disease under the sun ever his crabs have crabs speaking of love interests what bout Lupin Marls" said Dorcas slyly getting the judgement gun of her and pointing it at her friend Marlene looked around her sporadically as if she really hoped there was another Marlene in the near vicinity.
"I have no idea of what you mean" said Marlene standing stock still and speaking in a much higher pitch than usual.
"Yes Marlene what about ole Remus" said Lily then out the side of her mouth said to Dorcas "what about Lupin" Dorcas cut her off with a raised finger.
"I appear to remember our very own Marlene playing truth or dare with Lupin and some others" said Dorcas circling Dorcas Lily was giggling at the ridiculousness of the situation before her and at Marlene's obvious terror at her best friends "in fact I seem to remember you and a Mr Lupin being sentenced to 5 minutes in a closet and you were in fact unable to be found for another 15 minutes" said Dorcas smiling Marlene looked around her and seriously considered jumping of the balcony she was a witch she could break her fall but then she saw Lily and she knew she was fucked Lily had those bright green eyes that you couldn't telling your whole life story to.
"What happened Marley" said Lily standing next to Dorcas arms crossed.
"Ok sooooo well we didn't do what you're thinking" said Marlene.
"Why not its Lupin he's clean" said Dorcas confused Lily snorted.
"I'm sorry is that your only condition to shagging" she said.
"No" said Dorcas rather lamely "they also have to have hair."
"Ummm excuse me" said Marlene a bit annoyed at being interrupted when she was being so delightfully interesting.
"Oops sorry Marls carry-on" said Dorcas grinning like a drunk idiot then again he was one at that moment so hey.
"Well we spent ten minutes Ya know kissing and things" said Marlene blushing ferociously "and then he sorta stopped and looked me in the eyes and said he liked me" Lily and Dorcas stood there dumbfounded.
"W-w-what did you say" spluttered Dorcas.
"I ummmmm well I said thank you and ran out of the room" said Marlene suddenly finding the ground so very interesting and stared at that for a while when she looked up after a silence Lily and Dorcas weren't there Marlene looked around incredibly confused she looked behind her to the entrance of the balcony from Lily's room she saw Dorcas carrying a small table with Lily behind her carrying three chairs the two of them sat down on the chairs in front of the table and gestured for Marlene to sit down dumbfounded she did.
"So" said Lily leaning forward like a counsellor "do you like him?" Marlene thought for a second she had always felt something for Lupin since the first time she saw him sat in the libary face buried in a book he looked up at her and smiled he had such a nice smile it was simple kind smart and cheeky seemingly all at once she thought he was incredibly cute from that moment on but she had never even spoken to him then she saw him pulling a prank with his friends and that's when she developed feelings when he was up there laughing without a care in the world and then the way he said he liked her staring into her eyes with such certainty she didn't get it he was well Remus Lupin and she was just her she freaked out and ran.
"I do" said Marlene carefully.
"Well you did a fantastic job at showing it there marls" said Dorcas Lily smacked her arm but Marlene just laughed and she couldn't stop soon they were all laughing relaxed, happy, and comfortable.
"I may have fucked up there yeah" said Marlene sad again when she thought about it she had one chance and she blew it typical her just…
"Ummmm no" said Dorcas interrupting her thoughts and surprising her Lily nodded in agreement.
"Ummm are you kidding me right now? I ran away like literally ran away that's not really what your meant to do is it?" said Marlene confused now.
"Well here's the things Marls" said Lily smiling kindly "if a guy really likes you he won't stop no matter what you do."
"Exactly plus you're gonna be stuck in the same common room with the bloke for the next year he'll have to fall in love with you again by then" said Dorcas theatrically Marlene smiled she had some pretty awesome friends suddenly the doorbell rang and Lily ran down they could hear the sound of voices from downstairs and a laugh and then Lily came back up to her room tripping slightly as she was after all still rather drunk only she was holding a pizza box she came out onto the balcony placed it on the table and opened it Marlene gasped it was a huge cheese, meat ball, onion, bacon and pepperoni monster also known as the 'boys really suck so let's get fat and talk about stupid stuff' pizza basically the glue in every relationship.
"We called them when you told us that's why we went out" said Lily grinning at her friend's astonished face.
"You guys are amazing" said Marlene dumbfounded and a little bit moved.
"We know" Dorcas snatching a slice and that's what they did for the rest of the night ate pizza talked about the upcoming school year all the people they loved liked put up with and the 'other cunts' as Dorcas referred to them as they sat there relaxed confident for the upcoming world with the London skyline before them.
Well there Ya go guys you like? Sorry I haven't posted for so long it's just someone special convinced me to ;)
So as always please review and tell me what you think next chapter will be them all on the train and going to that place you've all been waiting for HOGWARTS so stick around and I'll see you guys this time next week
Dedicated to MJI ;)