A/N: Revised March 2007

The Last Laugh

Chapter Six: A Visit

By: Stardust

Angie squeezed Sirius's hand tightly and at the same time they both shouted:

"STUPEFY!"

"Don't!" The person yelled a note of panic in his voice. He tried to duck the spells, but they blasted him head on, knocking him over backwards. With a sickening crack his head hit the tile floor.

With a shock Angie realized Lily had collapsed on the ground. Angie dropped down beside her. She was shaky and her skin was clammy to the touch.

Sirius lit a lantern and headed towards the person lying on the floor.

"Lily!" Angie desperately shook her friend. Lily's eyes flickered eerily before they flew open wide with terror and unseeingness. Lily's hand found Angie's forearms and gripped them like vices and then she screamed—an out of body wail that made Angie's teeth chatter and her hair curl.

It didn't last long. Lily suddenly came out of her trance and let go of Angie.

"Water," She croaked.

"Right," Angie replied breathing rapidly and trying to calm her heart She got up and ran to the bathroom.

When she returned with water and some potion from the medicine cabinet Sirius was helping Lily sit up against the wall his brow creased with concern. Angie glanced uneasily at the motionless body lying on the floor down the hallway.

Lily drank the potion and color seemed to flood back into her face, warming her cheeks. Lily picked up her wand and light suddenly flooded the corridor. Lily had turned on all the lights.

"Are you OK?" Angie asked.

"Yes," Lily replied. "I feel OK now. I don't know what happened. But I saw…things," Her face was twisted in pain. "I don't want to talk about it just now." Angie and Sirius glanced at each other.

"Everything's OK. It's Peter." Sirius said, gesturing down the hall. Angie felt relief flood her body and she suddenly felt very tired. "I'll go wake him up now." Lily nodded as Angie helped her up.

"Envenerate," Sirius said. Peter eyes flew open. And he sat up slowly, holding the back of his head.

"Ouch!"

"What were you doing creeping around like that?" Sirius demanded.

"I was looking for you guys. I was afraid you were all asleep so I didn't turn on any lights. I haven't been here in so long I didn't know where I was, so I just started checking rooms. I'm sorry if I gave you a fright. I actually was a little startled myself. I came around the corner and all three of you were standing there looking as if you were ready for battle," Peter explained.

"Let's go down and light a fire, we can talk there," Lily said. So, the four of them walked down the main staircase and entered the living room. Sirius lit a fire and soon it was merrily blazing in the grate, their nerves all having calmed considerably.

When they had settled everyone was eager to hear Peter's version of what had happened Halloween night. "I was so worried about you guys when I heard the news," He said, his eyes growing wide. "I had left by the time it happened," He explained.

"Where were you?" Angie asked.

"Do you remember Guinevere Germaine?" Peter asked, he caught Sirius's eye and grinned. "Sirius remembers. I ran into her and…"

"You old marauder," Sirius laughed.

"Well, I guess I had better luck than all of you," Peter admitted.

"That's past now," Lily said firmly ending the conversation of Halloween night. Soon after she invited Peter to stay the night and Angie declared her intention of leaving.

"See you around Angie," Sirius called after her before following Peter up the stairs. Angie turned to Lily when he had disappeared and raised her eyebrows.

"That was significant right?" She asked Lily in a dramatic whisper. Lily, shaking with silent laughter led Angie to the door.

"You mean because he didn't say good-bye, he said—"

"See you around," Angie finished. Lily sighed.

"You really need to do something about this. But never mind, we'll figure out some other time."

"OK Lily. Good night, thanks for dinner."

"Good night."

Lily Evans had trouble going to sleep. It was late. She was tired. And yet, she was lying awake pondering the frightening experience in the hallway. With the arrival of Peter and the discussion of Halloween night they had forgotten all about Lily collapsing. But Lily hadn't forgotten. Lily couldn't forget.

She was standing next to Sirius, wand raised, ready to face evil. You could just see the cloaked person start to step around the corner when she felt an icy chill come over her like a dementor was nearby. Mist formed over her eyes and she had the sensation she was falling.

She had strange visions. First, it was just a flashback to the time when she and James had heard whispering voices in Hogsmeade village.

Then, the scene changed and she was standing on a hill, cool grass beneath her feet, and stars shining above her. A shadow moved in the trees and fear swept over her body. She knew it was a vision, but it seemed so real.

A young woman, who looked very familiar, but her face was obscured in the darkness, ran out of the trees. She was being pursued by a cloaked person, carrying a wand and a knife. The knife was pulled out in attack position and the starlight gleamed along the silver blade. Both people seemed to take no notice of Lily standing there.

She searched for her wand to help the poor woman but she found nothing. She saw rope burst from the tip of cloaked person's wand and the young woman fell to the ground completely bound in ropes. Her screams of protest hindered by the rope in her mouth.

The cloaked adversary advanced on the helpless female lying on the ground, raising the knife high up. He brought it down with an amazing speed and Lily slammed her eyes shut and screamed, just as the cloaked person's hood fell back.

She never knew who it was.

When she had screamed she seemed to wake herself from the dream she had been having. Her eyes flew open and she was lying in the hallway, Angie bent over her. She felt terribly sick and remembered asking for water.

Thinking back on it Lily searched her mind for a possible meaning from the dream but couldn't find one. Eventually she slipped into an uneasy sleep.

Down the hall Peter Pettigrew tossed a black crow out the window. Attached to its leg was a letter to the Dark Lord.

Master,

Mrs. Bones is taken care of. I stabbed her behind her house on the hill tonight. Lucius took the small child and cast her into the river. As for the man, we killed him and left him on the doorstep for people to find in the morning.

I am staying at the Potters.

Wormtail

Peter left the next day after lunch and a pleasant visit despite the saddening news in the newspaper.

The Bones family, who had graduated a year before Lily and James, were killed the night before. Their three month old daughter was found in the river, she was alive, most likely because of the magic she had coursing through her veins.

Lily shuddered as she remembered what Angie had said about hearing all the bad news working at The Daily Prophet. She knew hearing about another murder, someone relatively close to her, would not sit well with Angie.

Sometime around the 20th Lily had unexpectedly received a letter from Remus bearing grim news. His father had finally passed on. He (Lupin the elder) had been very ill since the beginning of seventh year and it was surprising he had lasted so long. His mother had been several years dead…he now had no parents. James could commiserate, Lily thought sadly.

Remus wanted to visit but Lily told him to wait until Christma when James would be home from school. She knew he didn't have a lot of money and she didn't want him to spend it to come out to see her when James at least wasn't home.

Her reply had been brief; she wasn't really sure what to say to him. James had been shocked to find out he had written but they didn't get any more letters from him after she wrote back.

Soon after she had received a hastily scribbled letter from James.

"I convinced the Headmaster to let me off the hook for the weekend so long as I return before midnight on Sunday. I'll see you soon my love. SIRIUS!!" Lily shouted after reading the letter aloud. She found if she sounded the words out she could decipher his hieroglyphics much faster. "Sirius!" She repeated walking quickly through rooms. She was pretty sure he was still here, normally he left a note or said good-bye before he left. "Siri—oh!" She said, coming into the living room. She had nearly walked past him but then he sat up, yawning and rubbing his eyes and seeming to rise up out of the couch as if he had once been a part of it.

"I must have fallen asleep," He muttered.

"Never mind," Lily said excitedly, pushing him aside so that she could sit down. "Look at this!"

Sirius blinked and read the short letter, his face and eyes immediately brightening at the prospect. "Hey, what do you know?" Sirius said, joining in her enthusiasm. "Got to watch that old boy, he's a tricky one."

"Let's have Angie and Peter for dinner on Friday night to give him a proper welcome home."

"I think you would suffice in that department," Sirius grinned. "But I want to see him too, so I suppose a little party might be in order. I'll bring the booze."

"I can always count on you," Lily laughed.

On Friday Lily sent Sirius out with a list half the size of the Standard Book of Spells: Year One and he returned heavily laden and complaining. "It's just James, for Merlin's sake," Sirius said, watching Lily unpack all her purchases. Her cooking was going to be extra special that night. "He'd be happy with stone soup so long as you made it. As a matter of fact, he wouldn't even notice if you did make stone soup. You realize that, don't you?"

"He'll notice…deep down he'll notice he's having a really good meal."

"Well hey, so long as I'm partaking in this meal, and imbibing of the spirits, I'll stop complaining."

"Good. Now, go shave and do something with your hair. Angie's going to be here." Sirius folded his arms and gave her a look.

"So?"

"So…James is coming home and you're going to need somewhere else to sleep tonight."

"O-oh," Sirius said. "I see. And, uh…you think Angie likes to take in strays…?" He sounded mildly hopeful.

"You're in a better position to know than I am," Lily said, her voice getting pretentiously higher. She moved to the cabinet to stow a sack of potatoes.

"Now, that's just the thing about you women," Sirius remarked. "I know you've been talking about me. You've discussed probably every second Angie and I have seen each other lately and you expect me to freely offer my thoughts on the matter. But you won't dare share your thoughts about me with me."

"Its girl talk, Sirius," Lily said, patting his arm and giving him an apologetic look. "You're missing fundamental qualifications for membership in the club."

"I'm just asking for an insider's opinion."

"Well look," Lily said, turning to him seriously. "I don't know what kind of advice to give you because I don't know what your intentions are."

"Oh, of course, Mrs. Star, my intentions are completely honorable," Sirius said sarcastically.

"Haha."

"Oh, come on Lily. You know I'm not honorable…especially not with Angie. What do you want me to say?"

"Are you looking for a friend with benefits or are you going to try and be something more? Because that makes a difference. Not that either one has worked for you two in the past."

"So I haven't a shot in the dark?"

"I didn't say that, did I? I'm the one who's been encouraging you along, haven't I?"

"Ah, the opposite problem then? She's completely obsessed? What does she say?" Lily looked at his eager eyes and rolled hers.

"Since you refuse to shed any light on the situation all I can say is this. You know what to expect out of Angie. You know your history and what problems you've had in the past and what you're going to have to get over. So…"

Sirius narrowed his eyes and her and then shook his head, grinning. "You take all the fun out of things. It's a lost cause anyway, Lily. I'm sure she'll find a real man, with a steady income and a committed…heart…" Lily watched him curiously as he trailed off and then walked out of the kitchen, the souls of his boots scuffing the ground as he left.

Everyone arrived before James. He hadn't said specifically when he'd be home so they were all assembled. Lily kept compulsively cleaning things to get rid of her anxious excitement. Sirius, when he had come down for dinner, Lily noted, was looking sharp, a tight fitting black sweater on and the faint smell of his cologne. His cheeks looked smooth…he had shaved, and his bangs were hanging to the side, but a little in his eyes. Sexy and mysterious…Angie would notice.

Peter had rushed in only to discover that he wasn't late after all and so had busied himself in front of the mirror, flattening and combing his hair. He was growing a small goatee and Lily thought it made him look very adult. Very serious.

Angie had meant to make an entrance. She had dressed for the occasion and wore her hair down, blonde, shiny locks flowing over her shoulders. Unfortunately when she arrived on scene Peter and Sirius had been tossing a quaffle back and forth to each other and she apparated right into the center of their tossing line. A quaffle in the stomach later and she was swearing and chasing Sirius around the house.

In the middle of the bedlam James arrived. Lily saw him across Sirius and Angie and Peter who was joining in on the fun and adding to the shouts in the house. "James!" She called, trying to take a step forward, but was forced back as the quaffle sailed in front of her.

Grinning hugely James stuck out an arm and stopped Sirius in his tracks. "Hey—oh. OH! Prongs!" Sirius said. Then he threw his arms around James in their characteristic bear hug.

"What?" Angie asked, stopping short and turning. Peter skidded to a stop as well. And then Lily walked over.

"Ahem," She said, clearing her throat. Laughing Sirius let go of James and gestured to Lily that she should have at him.

After an interval…a wonderful interval…James eased out of Lily's kiss. But when they looked around, to their surprise, no one was in sight. "Good they're gone," James said, loudly in order to illicit a response.

"In here!" Peter shouted and holding Lily's hand they entered into the kitchen where Sirius pressed drinks into their hands.

"Goodness Lil…" James said, looking at the spread on the table. She smiled and squeezed his hand.

"Let's eat!" Sirius declared and they took their seats and dug in.

Later Sirius tactfully talked the others into leaving James and Lily to their own devices. With a parting glance Sirius saw James pull Lily to him, kissing her forehead. He found Angie waiting for him at the Hogshead, a light white mist shown around her face, from her breath as he approached. "Where's Peter?" Sirius asked.

Angie laughed. "Almost the moment we arrived he was surrounded and carried off. You Marauders and your connections…"

"Good point," Sirius said, seizing her hand impulsively and pulling her away from the establishment. "You, uh, weren't in the mood to party it up tonight, were you?" he asked uncertainly.

"Not really…where are we going?"

"First? We're going to drop in on a friend of mine. If we make it in time," he said, checking his watch and then setting a quicker pace. Angie jogged every few steps to keep up while Sirius held one of her hands hostage.

"Zonko's?" Angie asked uncertainly reading the small barely lit sign before Sirius wrenched open the door and pulled her inside.

"He's a pioneer. A genius. Totally mad."

Angie looked around at the strange displays. "Sirius!" A man called. Angie looked up to see a young guy with bright purple spiked hair vaulting over the counter to meet them. "I took your advice on the trick wands. Works like a charm—er well, a very well thought out spell, I should say. Are you aware this man is a genius on transfiguration?" The man, presumably Zonko, asked Angie familiarly. "Should be a bloody professor, I tell you. When are you going to give it up and go into business with me? With a little more money we could advertise and this place will take off."

"I'm broke, you know that," Sirius said, pulling the lining out of his pockets.

"Never mind, never mind," he said, flipping the open sign to closed. "Come on, I've got some stuff in back I want you to take a look at."

"Not tonight," Sirius said and Zonko's face fell dramatically. "I was hoping to take a few of the safer things to the orphanage. The kids will love this stuff."

"Ah, yes, how about the Frizzing Whizbee's? My first invention, well-tested."

"Yeah, that's good. Let me see one of those trick wands," Sirius said, going for one on the counter. Angie noticed a hand-painted sign. Warning: Purchase at your own risk. "Ah," Sirius said calmly as the wand he picked up squeaked and turned into a mouse. "Very nice."

"I can't let you have one of those. Nothing personal mate, but I really can't afford it right now." Sirius nodded and browsed among the displays, cautiously picking up a few things along the way.

"Sirius," Angie whispered, discreetly pulling a few coins out of her purse. Sirius frowned and shook his head, glancing over to where Zonko was occupying himself with something. Angie nodded emphatically and he finally took the money.

When they left a few minutes later they were each carrying a bag, stuffed with useless joke products. "The orphanage?" Angie questioned. Sirius shrugged.

"I grew up there until I met James…and the kids…kids like me."

Angie remained pensively silent at his side as he led the way through the streets of Hogsmeade. They passed several people but most had their heads bowed against the cold, their pace hurried, their eyes shifty. It wasn't as if people felt unsafe in a city these days but it wasn't likely that people would strike up random conversations or exchange friendly smiles. Trust was elusive.

And yet, Angie was feeling pretty trusting of Sirius just then. She realized, perhaps for the first time, that he was and always had been a friend first. He was just another human, a somewhat elusive lover, but in most respects he had feelings just like her. And there was a deep, deep layer to Sirius that was often hidden by the jokes and smiles. Compared to him, her life seemed superficial.

He knew exactly where the orphanage was and didn't pass it coldly like she would have done. It wasn't much to look at and blended in with everything else. He strode right up and rang the bell, waiting patiently outside. Before the door was answered they heard a window slide up and saw a head peak out.

"Sirius!" an eager voice called from above. "I think it's going to snow tonight."

"Could be," Sirius replied, glancing around at the sky as if he could divine the weather. Hell, Angie thought, maybe he could. The door opened then and they were admitted.

"Sirius, what a nice surprise," the woman said.

"I brought the kids a few things from the joke shop in town. I hope you don't mind," he said, offering her inspection of the bags.

"Well, I suppose I'll mind in a few days when I find little surprises here and there but they'll be happy to see you anyway. The younger ones are upstairs, getting in bed. But you may see them if you promise not to wind them up too much. A few of the older ones are hosting a gobstones tournament in the basement."

"Come on," Sirius said, motioning Angie up an ancient wooden staircase. The old boarding house seemed very still and quiet on that first floor. But as they climbed the stairs Angie could feel the life of the place, the children's excited souls nearby.

They were all ready for him when he arrived. Every one had lined up at the end of their beds standing looking at the door. There was a split second when everyone took in an excited breath and then the air burst with a chorus of his name and several children stampeded in their direction.

"Yikes," Angie muttered, ducking behind Sirius's shoulders. Laughing, he held up his arms and they obediently refrained from jumping him. Angie cautiously peeked out at all the bright young faces.

"Mrs. Chambers says that you're getting ready for bed and I can't get you too excited, so everyone over there, in the center of the room and sit down. If we're all jumping around at once we'll attract to much attention." The children, who were very well trained, all did as he said.

"Who's she?" someone called out, pointing a small finger at Angie.

"This is my friend Angie," Sirius explained.

"I like her," one little boy declared. Sirius raised his eyebrows in surprise and Angie hid her smile behind her hand. "She has pretty hair."

"Hmm," Sirius replied, putting his head next to the boy's so that they were both looking at Angie. "It's the smile that always gets me," Sirius said. Angie felt her face grow hot but knew that the dim light would hide it. He had spoken quite sincerely, though he winked before turning away from her.

"You brought us something?" a little girl asked, stifling a yawn.

"I know just what you need McKenzie," he said, pulling something from one of the bags like Santa Claus. "It's sweet dreams dust. Sprinkle a little on your pillow and you'll wake up a happy camper."

Angie questioned the wisdom of that product and was hoping that Sirius had at some point in the past tried it himself. It didn't seem like one of the safer products but the little girl delighted in her gift.

After they had seen all the kids and Sirius told them they had to go to bed they all protested. "Why do we always have to sleep?" someone complained. "Adults never go to sleep."

"Adults are silly," Angie said. "We never sleep enough at night and then we always wish we could be taking naps."

"Or," Sirius said. "You could be like me and take naps." Angie stuck out her tongue at him to the great amusement of the little ones.

"Tuck me in Sirius?"

"OK, Andrea," Sirius said, pulling the covers clear up to her chin. She couldn't have been more than five. Angie watched as the little girl reached up a tiny hand and felt Sirius's chin with curiosity.

"Scratchy," she said, laughing.

"He needs to shave," Angie said, giving him a poke in the shoulder.

"I wish you would come see us everyday," Andrea said. Sirius gave her a sad smile.

"Me too. Good night."

"Good night."

When they left a soft snow was falling. "Looks like Jordan was right," Sirius said, looking up at the sky. The small white flakes dropped endlessly from a sea of blackness. Angie remained silent, not only because talking about the weather seemed silly, but also because she was at a loss for words. Her emotions conflicted at the moment.

The walked in silence for several blocks heading away from the main part of the village and finally arriving at Angie's building. They stopped under the light above the front door. "You're very quiet tonight," Sirius said, quietly. She half-smiled as Sirius gave her a playful nudge on the shoulder.

"I don't know what to say," she admitted. Sirius brushed the dusting of snow that had gathered on the shoulders of her cloak and pulled the collar closer together around her neck in a brotherly sort of gesture. Then, finding nothing else to do, he clasped his hands together and rocked back on his heels nervously.

She struggled to find words to speak so Sirius did. "It's just a bunch of kids."

"Yeah, and you brought them joke products…it's so…you." He grinned.

"Listen, I'm, uh, homeless for the night—"

"Oh, yeah, yeah," Angie said quickly, pushing open the door and heading quickly upstairs. Her chest had tightened and her pulse spiked at the statement. His voice had been completely normal, friendly, but not suggestive, and he hadn't given her any particular look, but still, inviting him to stay for the night might lead to certain situations and she didn't know if she was ready for those certain situations. And what if he read too much into the invitation to stay? What if her intentions were confused?

"Are you going to open the door?" Sirius asked, snapping her back to the present. They were standing in front of her apartment door, waiting. She flashed him a nervous smile and led the way in.

She watched him slyly in the mirror as he turned on a light and looked around. "So this is it?" he asked, spreading his arms and moving deeper within the small living room.

"I know it's not the Potters but you don't have to say it like that. This is it."

"I didn't say it like that," he protested, dropping his outstretched arms.

"I know," she said, a glint in her eyes. He returned her look with interest. "I'm afraid though, that I truly don't have much to offer. One bedroom, one bathroom. And that little sofa…" she glanced at his tall frame and then blushed. His eyebrows shot up.

"And so…where does that leave us?"

"That leaves us with this…" Angie said, taking the short walk to the bedroom and flipping on the light. The small double bed decked out in flowery bedspread was illuminated.

"Could be worse," Sirius said.

"Could be naked?" Angie suggested, finishing the sentence. Sirius grinned.

"That would be an improvement. I was going to say, could be a twin bed."

"Ah, yes," Angie agreed. "Well, anyway, you're allowed to sleep in the bed as long as you behave."

"Where's the fun in that?"

"Are you looking for a place to stay or are you looking for fun?"

"It's better when those things are combined," he said, running a fingertip lightly along her neck. Goosebumps broke out on her arms and her heart rate spiked again. She looked up to see him trying not to smile. "I'm just teasing you…"

"Oh boy…"

Lily was curled up by the fire in the armchair reading the paper and having coffee the next morning when Sirius stumbled out of the grate. He didn't say anything, or even smile, instead he merely waved a lazy arm at her and trudged up the stairs.

On the way to the guest bedroom Sirius saw James, grabbed him by the shirt front and dragged him into the room. Sirius then collapsed onto the bed and said, "She has a loveseat so she invited me to sleep in the bed…with her…"

James, standing over Sirius and observing his drawn and tired face, and his closed eyes, found his own facial expressions hard to control. "I couldn't sleep the entire night," Sirius continued. "She was right next to me, expecting me to be completely honorable…Jesus, never mind. I just need to sleep.

"By the way, it's a fucking blizzard outside."

"OK…" James said his eyes still round with surprise; he turned and let Sirius sleep. In the bed in the guest room. When Sirius chose the bed over the couch he was truly tired.

"Did Sirius say anything to you?" Lily asked when James appeared at the bottom of the stairs. James started laughing, realizing how ridiculously pathetic Sirius was for the first time. "What's so funny?" she asked.

James perched himself on the arm of her chair. "He said he and Angie slept together but Sirius didn't do any sleeping. And it's blizzarding."

Lily's eyes got wide and her mouth literally dropped open. "It was completely platonic except it seems Sirius was so worked up about it he couldn't sleep."

"Oh James they've got problems," Lily said, laughing herself. Then she commenced to catching James up on all the Sirius and Angie gossip.

"Man, what would we do without them to talk to about?" James asked later. "I mean, probably half of our lives at Hogwarts were spent gossiping about Sirius and Angie."

"And if Angie wasn't in the picture it was always fun enough to talk about Sirius and his flavor of the week."

"Glad no one has any reason to talk about us," James said.

"Nope, we're totally boring," Lily agreed as James leaned forward and gave her a kiss.

Sunday morning the snow had accumulated quite astonishingly for so early in the season. "Look at all that," Lily said, coming to stand in front of the window next to James who was already looking out into the backyard.

"Yeah, it's so much I don't think it's safe for me to travel. I guess I'll just have to stay here."

"Mmm," Lily said, snuggling up to his arm. "I wish that were true but you have to go back. I'll have none of that this time."

"It's so hard to think about the future when the moment is so real, right now."

"Do it for me."

"You're all that keeps me going," James assured her.

"Hey," Angie whispered and the two whipped around in surprise. She giggled. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. Is Sirius around?"

James grinned and exchanged a look with Lily. "He was taking a shower but he'll probably be down any minute. The allure of breakfast in the kitchen will bring him quickly."

"Good," Angie said, holding up a huge handful of white fluffy snow.

"Uh-oh," Lily said.

"Heads up Padfoot!" James shouted, loyalty to marauders trumping all. Sirius reacted immediately and just missed the pile of snow Angie enthusiastically hurled at him by changing into a dog.

Angie was screaming about illegal moves when he transformed again and tackled her around the middle. "The door! Get the door!" Sirius shouted and James obliged, throwing it wide. And Sirius and Angie went sprawling into the snow drift outside.

"LILY!" Angie shouted, as Sirius attempted to bury her in snow.

"She can't help you now," Sirius said. "What kind of crazy person brings snow in a house?"

"This crazy person!" She said, jumping on top of him and shoving a handful of snow down his back into his sweater.

She rolled off, laughing like a maniac as Sirius got up and jumped up and down, shaking his clothing. "Help me up," Angie said, sticking her hand out. Sirius narrowed his eyes at her and then turned, went inside and slammed the door.

"Bastard!" she shouted, jumping to her feet and glaring in at him. He stuck out his tongue at her.

Later that day everyone was lounging around the living room comfortably. All the snow safely outside. Lily and Angie were chatting idly and Sirius caught James's eye. He was slowly rubbing his ring finger in an unobtrusive but obvious manner. James ran a hand through his hair and sort of did a head shake. Then James flicked his eyes toward Angie and then back to Sirius, raising his eyebrows in a questioning manner. Sirius narrowed his eyes and then interrupted the girls loudly.

"Hey, why don't you two go away so James and I can talk about you?"

"What?" Angie asked, stopping in mid-sentence and turning to Sirius. "Run along, the boys need to have a heart to heart."

Angie looked at Lily and said "I don't believe this." Lily shrugged and got up, walking toward the stairs.

"As you wish," she said and they left.

Sirius turned to James who was across the room and motioned for him to come closer. "Just in case anyone's eavesdropping," he said, pitching his voice toward the door. There was no response so he seemed satisfied enough. "What are you doing James?" Sirius asked, turning seriously toward his friend.

James slouched down in his seat and blew out a heavy sigh. "I don't know Sirius," James said. "It just doesn't feel right at the moment. Christmas I feel will be the right time. That spirit in the air…you know…"

"OK, maybe you've got it figured out," Sirius admitted. "I mean what do I know about girls and relationships and," he swallowed, almost unwilling to pronounce the word, "marriage? I'm just trying to make sure you aren't changing your mind."

"Of course I'm not changing my mind. I love her, I live with her, I'm totally committed to her, I—"

"Calm down, junior," Sirius said, cutting him off. "I know; I see it quite clearly. I'm just making sure you know it."

"OK," James said. "Now that we've got that settled. Why are you so screwed up about Angie?"

"Oh God, how many times have we had this conversation?"

"Yeah, problem number one," James said.

"Exactly. It doesn't even seem right to be having the conversation again. And yet there's always the wonder if it will be different this time?"

"OK, problem number two. You're wondering instead of knowing. Are you going to be different this time? And, hold on, back up a minute, is anything even going on yet?"

"No," Sirius said thoughtfully.

"No what? No, you're not going to be any different or no nothing is going on."

"Nothing is going on. And I don't know about the other question."

"Figure out the answer and then decide if something should be happening."

"Wise answer my friend, but not easily accomplished."

"Well, we've both got our little problems then don't we? Listen Sirius, while you're trying to find meaning in life, won't you please protect my meaning. Keep an eye on her; go Christmas shopping with her. Make sure she doesn't get lonely. Make her laugh. But don't annoy her."

"Are we talking about your daughter here or Lily? James, in all seriousness I care about Lily. She'll tell you, while you're away at school, we're stuck here together and we've actually become quite close. We'll get by somehow without you. And, just so you know, she doesn't really need me."

"Just don't let anything happen to her."

"How did I get volunteered for this job?" Sirius wanted to know. "James, just do me a favor and graduate. And bring home that ring for Christmas."

"Agreed."

"Did Lily tell you Remus wrote a letter?"

"Yeah, she said he might be visiting around Christmas. But you know what I was thinking? We need to relive some of our glory days. Reunite the Marauders. Angie and I wrote a song."

"You what? I thought you said nothing was going on between you two?"

"Writing a song is not tantamount to marriage," Sirius said. "So what about it?"

"How are you going to get everyone together?"

"I don't know; it's just my thought. We nearly lost our chance on Halloween so I was thinking…"

"Send me this song and see what you can do?"

"So, you'd be up for a reunion?"

"Hell yeah."