Don't Let Your Guard Down
chapter 2

Disclaimer: everything you recognize belongs to the brilliant JK Rowling.

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Lily entered her commons room but stopped when she heard her name being mentioned.

"You tell Evans and you'll immediately regret it," James insisted.

"It's just a party," Sirius said.

"No, to her it's breaking the rules, and the law, and it's just plain wrong," James complained. "Come on Padfoot. You've known her for seven years. You think that just because you two paint each other's toenails and braid each other's hair that-"

"Excuse me?" Sirius asked.

James shrugged. "It's what I picture girl friends doing."

"Really? Because I usually picture them wearing skimpy underwear, having pillow fights, and talking about me," Sirius said with a grin.

"Anyway, Lily's not going to drop everything and be happy that we're throwing a party just because you two have somehow settled your differences and are now friends."

"Well we can't have a party without her finding out anyway so why not tell her before," Sirius suggested.

"Because Evans is a goody-two-shoes," James pointed. "She can't stop us duringthe party, but she can certainly stop it from happening. Ugh! I wish she would remove that stick up her ass. We need to find a guy for her and get her laid so she can be happy and stop acting like such a bitch."

Sirius sighed. "How about we move on to another topic of discussion?"

"Like what kind of alcohol you're going to spike the punch with?"

"That's a much more interesting topic," Sirius said with a grin.

Lily decided to walk in at that moment. The two boys looked up from what they were doing. "Oh, hey Evans," James said.

"Bite me," Lily growled and then walked into her room and slammed the door.

Sirius and James exchanged looks. "Um…do you think there's something wrong with her?" Sirius dared to ask.

"I am not a bitch. And I am certainly notgoody-two-shoes," Lily argued to her friends. She was pacing back and forth in her room the next day.

Kacie and Gigi exchanged looks. "Wait…you didn't know that?"

Lily stopped pacing and stared at them. "Um…what?"

"You just seem surprised that James called you a goody-two-shoes," Kacie said with a shrug.

Lily's mouth hung wide open. "I am not a goody-two-shoes!" She claimed. "Oh Gi, can you use a coaster? I don't want there to be a ring from the bottom of that soda can." Lily gasped. "Oh my god…I am a goody-two-shoes!"

Lily exited her room and stomped over to James's room, banging on the door.

James jerked the door open. "The point of knocking is not to break off your hand."

"You have this party!" Lily exclaimed. "You have an awesme party! Hell, have it in the Slytherin Commons Room for all I care!"

"Okay, calm down there," James said. "One thing at a time."

"That is a much better idea than having it in the Gryffindor Common Room!" Sirius exclaimed.

James gave Sirius a look. "And it's also physically impossible."

Sirius shrugged. "Technicalities."

Lily started walking back to her room but turned around. "Oh, but I still think you're a jerk." And with that, she went into her room and closed the door.

James groaned and looked over at his friends. "Well…at least she's allowing us to have the party," Remus noted.

"Whoa," Sirius said, giving a low whistle. "Girl's got it going on."

Lily turned to him. "Girl's got what going where?"

"Um...you're perrrty," Sirius said. Lily rolled her eyes.

"Hey Lils," James said, coming over.

"Don't call me Lils."

"Thanks again for allowing us to have this party…not that it was up to you or anything," James said.

"Just so you know, I didn't allow you to have this party to make you guys happy," Lily said. "I did it because I don't want to be known as a goody-two-shoes anymore."

"You? A goody-two-shoes? Nooo," Sirius said sarcastically.

Lily rolled her eyes and started walking away. "Who calls you a goody-two-shoes?" James called out.

"Oh, I don't know, ask my nail polish, hair braiding buddy," Lily said with a fake smile and then walked away.

Sirius turned to James. "I think she's on to us."

James groaned. "She heard that conversation?"

"I think that may explain the 'bite me' comment…" Sirius said slowly. "Although I would gladly bite her and-"

"Why am I friends with you?" James asked with a groan.

"Because of my hot body," Sirius said with a grin. James gave him a horrified look. Sirius grinned sheepishly. "Yeah…that really only works with Lily."

"I still think it was funnier when she thought it was Christmas in May," Harrison said.

"Oh no way, it was much better when she thought Sirius was the king of England," Lily said with a laugh.

"Speaking of Sirius, why are you here?" Harrison asked.

"Huh?"

"Why are you at a Marauder party?" Harrison asked.

Lily shrugged. "It was about time to find out what all the fuss is about."

"So do you see why everyone comes?"

"No."

"Oh come on," Harrison said. "Great music, good food, lots of people, dancing-"

"Alcohol, drunk first years, annoying Marauders to deal with," Lily said.

"Yeah I know. Isn't it great?" Harrison joked. Lily gave him a look. "You're right, it's awful."

"And illegal, and against the rules," Lily mumbled.

"Well…maybe you can talk the guys into never having another party again until they go to college," Harrison said with a shrug.

"Or prison," Lily mumbled.

"Well how 'bout we dance and forget about the Marauders?" Harrison suggested.

Lily looked around. "Wait, me? You want me to dance? Me dance?"

"Yes. It's the thing where music is playing and you move around in an enjoyable way with a friend."

"So...you're the friend..."

"And I think I hear...yep, that is definitely music playing in the background."

Lily paused. "Now all we're missing is the moving around in an enjoyable way part."

"Sex?" Harrison asked. Lily glared. "Oh look, there's an empty spot on the dance floor!" Lily laughed but followed him onto the dance floor.

"Whoa, Lily is actually dancing," Sirius noted.

"Wait, Lily? You mean, Lily is dancing? Lily dance?" James asked quickly.

"No, Lily shake that ass," Sirius said with a grin. James glared at him. "I mean, Lily dance."

"Who invited her?" James mumbled. Sirius gave him a look. "Oh…right. But did she have to wear that? I mean she actually looks-"

"Sexy? Hott? Attractive? Gorgeous?" Sirius asked. James glared at him. "I mean ugly, hideous, gross-"

"Shut up Sirius," James said.

"Will do."

"People are actually noticing her with what she's wearing," James mumbled. "I mean, who does she think she is? Attracting all that attention?"

"Yeah, that's our job!" Sirius cried out.

"I bet you wish you were that guy now huh?" Remus asked, coming over after seeing James stare at Harrison and Lily talking.

"Of course not," James answered as Sirius answered, "Yup!"

James glared at Sirius. Sirius rambled, "I mean nope, no way. Dancing with Lily? How completely tormenting and totally awful and-"

"Sirius," James warned.

"Shutting up now."

"Who is that guy dancing with Lily anyway?" James muttered, as Peter walked over to them.

"You know him. That's Harrison Piedmont," Remus pointed out.

"Um, no I don't know him," James said.

"Well he's the guy-" Peter started.

"Dancing with Lily," James said with a nod.

"So you do know him," Peter joked. James gave him a stern look and he quickly shut up.

"No really, who is he?" James asked.

"He's the Ravenclaw version of you two," Peter said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sirius asked.

"He's all about booze, sex, and girls," Remus said.

"Preferably all of them at the same time," Peter said.

"Don't forget Quidditch," Sirius said.

"Preferably not at the same time," Remus added.

"Doesn't Ravenclaw have its own girls?" James mumbled.

"He's been with all of them," Remus said.

"So have we," Sirius said with a grin.

"And I bet they liked us better," James said with a grin.

"You guys make me sick," Remus groaned.

"Whatever turns you on," Sirius said. The three boys turned to him in horror. "Yeah…another line that only works with Lily."

"You should start making a list of phrases you can only say to Lily," James said.

"I don't do homework, but yeah, I'll willingly make a list," Sirius said sarcastically.

"Point taken," James said.

"And moving on," Remus added.

"Isn't there a rule?" James mumbled. "Like, you have to be at least six inches away from your dancing partner?"

"What? Then how the hell do you snog—oooh, now I get it," Sirius said.

"He's using you, ya know," James said. Lily turned around and groaned. "He just wants your body."

"Who doesn't," Sirius said with a grin. Lily and James glared at him. "Certainly not me." James and Lily kept glaring at him. "Oh look, there's someone who needs to dance." Sirius jetted across the room to dance with someone.

"How long til he figures out that's a guy?" Lily asked.

"I give him ten minutes," James said.

Lily shrugged and started walking away but James cried out, "Did you hear what I said?"

"Of course, and I chose to ignore you," Lily said. "You should be pretty used to that by now."

"He's a player and he's-"

"I don't want to hear it," Lily exclaimed, coming back to stand next to James. "And what gives you the right to tell me this? Do I look like someone who cares?"

"I'm just trying to help," James said.

"Help? You want to help? Try flinging yourself off a bridge!" Lily exclaimed.

"Why are you being so hostile? I hardly said a word to you," James said.

"I'm sorry if I don't feel like being lectured about my love life from the guy who talks about me behind my back and then doesn't understand why I turn him down every time he asks me out!" Lily exclaimed.

"You weren't supposed to hear that conversation," James pointed out.

"That doesn't make it okay to talk about me!"

"Oh c'mon. Like you don't talk about people behind their backs?"

"No I don't! I'm considerate and respectful of other people's feelings! But now that you have gotten me so riled up, I'm going to go find Gigi and talk about you!" Lily screamed, stomping off.

"Don't forget to mention how cute I am!" James called out. Lily turned around and glared. "I'm doomed."

"He makes me sick!" Lily cried out. Gigi and Kacie turned around.

"Is it me, or have the greetings gone downhill around here?" Gigi asked Kacie.

"Potter thinks he can control me and tell me what to do and it's just…ugh!" Lily exclaimed.

"Lily, I think you just need to get over him," Kacie suggested.

"Get over him? I was never under him," Lily claimed. Gigi and Kacie exchanged glances. "Okay, thattotally came out wrong."

"Lily all we hear is Potter this and Potter that and oh my gosh he's so annoying and why can't he fall off the face of the earth," Gigi pointed out.

"Why can't he fall off the face of the earth?" Lily pouted. Gigi gave her a look. "Oh right, you were trying to make a point. Continue."

"You talk about him constantly and yet you're standing here telling me that you have no feelings whatsoever for him?" Gigi asked.

"It depends. Do feelings of wanting to strangle him count?" Lily asked. Gigi gave her a look. "No! Look guys, I do not and never will have feelings for James Potter."

"Not even a little bit?" Kacie asked.

"Not even a smidge," Lily said and then turned to Gigi. "You guys suggesting that I like Potter is like me suggesting that you like Sirius."

Gigi paused to think about that and then turned to Kacie. "Yeah, she definitely does not like James."

"AHA!" Sirius cried out. Kacie, Lily, and Gigi turned to him and gave him a weird look. "...I'm not sure why I did that."

"Because only normal people say hello these days?" Gigi asked smugly.

"Here Lily, I got you some punch," Sirius said.

Lily looked suspiciously at the punch. "The same punch you spiked earlier?"

Sirius grinned guiltily. "Um…no?" Lily rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'll just give it to Giliba. God knows she's probably already drunk."

"Look who's talking Black," Gigi muttered.

"I have a question," Sirius said. "Is it easier to get into bed with you before or after you drink?"

"And I have a question for you Black," Gigi sneered. "How long does it take you to change clothes?" And with that, Gigi threw the punch right into Sirius's face and sauntered off, laughing as it soaked down into Sirius's clothes.

Lily turned to Sirius and shrugged. "In all fairness, you deserved it." Kacie and Lily laughed as they followed Gigi.

Sirius groaned and trudged back to his friends. James looked at him and burst out laughing. "Um, Padfoot? You have a little something on your shirt…" Remus practically spit out his punch as he burst out laughing.

"Yeah, that tend to happens with your sworn enemy throws a glass of punch in your face," Sirius noted.

"Well now I know not to go near Gi," James said.

"She's not your sworn enemy," Sirius pointed out.

"And apparently that's a good thing," James said and Remus and James laughed as Sirius tramped upstairs.

"Yeah! And then he told me that it wasn't his…" James trailed off and stared into space.

Remus waited for him to finish but nothing came out of his mouth. "Um…care to finish that sentence?" James didn't look like he was going to move anytime soon. "Uh hello? James!"

"And she's not even drunk," James mumbled under his breath.

"Huh?" Remus asked and then he turned around to see what James was staring at. "Ooooh."

James came out of his trance. "Huh? What?"

"You were totally just staring at Lily," Remus said amusedly.

"Yeah? Well who isn't? Isn't it about time they came up for air?" James muttered. "I never knew Lily was like that."

"Like what?"

"The kind of person who makes out while dancing on the dance floor. And she has no alcohol in her!" James claimed. "Ugh, I'm going over there and-"

"And what?" Remus asked. "Please enlighten me on what you're going to do when you get over to Lily and Harrison."

James exhaled. "Hmpf. Fine, but there has to be something I can do."

"Look around you Prongs! Everyone's making out on the dance floor. It's what people do," Remus pointed out. "Siriusis doing it."

"Well he's allowed to!"

"Why?"

"'Cause I don't like Sirius!" James exclaimed. James stopped. "Oh my."

"What?"

James turned to Remus. "What am I thinking?"

"I don't know, what are you thinking?"

"How could this happen!"

"Huh?"

"I can't believe this!" James cried out.

"Oookay, I'm gonna need more vowels Vana," Remus said.

"I like Evans," James said surprisingly. "Oh my god. I can't like Evans!"

Remus looked at him in shock. "Wait, you didn't knowyou liked her?"

James looked at him in horror. "You did?"

"Everyone does!"

"I always thought people were joking. I mean, I was always joking!" James said. "Why am I just standing here? Why am I not over there? I've gotta go talk to her!" James started walking away but immediately stopped when he saw her kissing Harrison. He came back over to Remus. "I suddenly remember why I'm not over there talking to her."

Remus looked over at Lily kissing Harrison and sighed. "Maybe they're just friends." James gave him a look. "Oookay, maybe they're brother and sister?" James glared at him. "Oookay, maybe-"

"For the love of God Remus, shut up," James said.

"Well maybe if Lily came over here and stuck her tongue down my throat, I'd shut up," Remus said with a snicker. James glared at Remus. "And maybe I'll be going now." Remus started walking away but saw the long face on James and sighed. He grabbed Sirius's shirt and dragged him over to James with him.

"Look Prongs, just try to forget that she's over there dancing with another guy," Remus said.

Sirius saw James staring at Lily and sighed. "Now, this could be the spiked punch talking considering I've had about ten cups, but I care for you and I don't want you to get hurt by sitting over here staring at Lily."

James smiled weakly and looked to Remus for advice. "I've only had one cup, so I just think you're cool," Remus said and the three friends laughed.

"Where's Lily?" Sirius asked.

"I saw her leave about half an hour ago," Remus said. "But get this, you know how earlier you came up and told James to forget about Lily?"

"Uh huh," Sirius said, downing the rest of his punch.

"Prongs had no idea that he fancied Lily. He just realized it about two minutes before you came over."

"What? But everyone else knew!" Sirius exclaimed.

"I know!" Remus cried out. "And-"

"Hey Peter!" Sirius cried out. "Guess what?"

"What?"

"Prongs had no idea that he liked Lily!" Sirius exclaimed.

"What? But everyone else knew!"

Remus and Sirius both exclaimed, "I know!"

"So can I ask you a question?" Peter asked. Remus and Sirius nodded. "If Prongs has finally discovered that he likes Lily, then why the hell is he making out with Nancie Borden on the dance floor?"

"Because clearly the next step after figuring out that you like someone is to make out with someone completely different," Remus said sarcastically.

"That's my philosophy too!" Sirius cried out. Remus gave him a look. "Hey, I didn't say it was a good philosophy."

"I can't believe him," Remus muttered.

"Huh?" Sirius asked.

"He's such a coward," Remus said, shaking his head. "The moment he finds out that he actually has feelings for a girl, he runs away from it. He doesn't want to face the fact that he actually likes someone so he goes up to the next girl he sees and makes out with her."

"I don't think he means to…" Sirius said slowly.

"Sirius," Remus said, turning to him. "If you found out you had feelings for a girl, what would you do?"

"Ignore her and go have sex with another girl," Sirius said instantly. "Ooooh, now I get it."

"Uh oh," Remus said under his breath.

"What?"

"James is leaving," Remus noted.

Sirius looked at Remus. "And this is a problem?"

"Lily left…" Remus said.

"Okay, I am still not seeing a problem."

Remus sighed. "Lily probably went back to the room with Harrison and now James is going to go back there with Nancie."

"Oooh, big problem," Sirius muttered. Sirius grew quiet for a few seconds. "Wanna go see what happens?"

"I'll grab the popcorn," Remus said.

"Guys, you can't just follow them," Kacie said. Remus and Sirius whirled around.

"Okay, how long have you been standing there?" Sirius asked.

"Long enough," Kacie said with a shrug, and then pulled the boy's clothes away from the door so they couldn't follow James.

"I'm sorry, would you like me to find you a leash?" Sirius asked sarcastically.

"Does anyone else see a problem with Lily bringing a guy back to the room and all of us standing here alone?" Gigi asked, walking over to them.

"Gigi!" Kacie reprimanded. "That's awful!"

"It is awful," Sirius exclaimed but then paused. "True, but awful."

"So Lily, did we get lucky last night?" Sirius asked, sitting down beside Lily at breakfast the next morning.

"Could you be any cruder Sirius?" Lily asked. Sirius opened his mouth but Lily stuffed bacon into his mouth. "You know what? Forget I asked that."

"This bacon is much better than the answer I had anyway," Sirius said with a grin. "So if you didn't have sex, do you know if James did?"

Lily looked at him in disgust. "I don't even know how to answer that."

"A simple yes or no will do," Sirius said.

"I don't listen to what happens in the room next door Si," Lily said, rolling her eyes.

"Well maybe you should, you could get some great tips," Sirius said with a wink.

"From Potter?" Lily asked. "Look, let's talk about something else."

"Hey Lils," Gigi said. "So, you brought a boy back to the room huh?"

"Is anyone going to let me live this down?" Lily asked, burying her face in her arms.

"So how was your evening, huh Lily?" Remus asked, walking up from behind Lily.

"Guess not," Sirius said to Lily with a laugh.

They all turned to see James walk in with a huge smile on his face. "Well, it looks like someonehad sex last night."

"Hey guys, what's up?" James asked.

"You mean besides your self-esteem?" Sirius asked. James just rolled his eyes.

"So Evans, have fun making out with Harrison all night?" James asked. "Next time could you please spare us the public display?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't know making out was a crime," Lily snapped. "Because if it were, you and Sirius would have gone to jail years ago."

"Hey! Keep me out of this," Sirius cried out. James groaned and sat down next to Lily.

"What are you doing?" Lily asked.

"Uh…sitting?" James asked.

"Next to me?" Lily asked.

"Uh…yeah?" James asked.

"Hell no," Lily exclaimed, shaking her head violently.

"Okay, you are seriously going to have to clue me in to what the hell I did that was so horrible to you," James said.

"You were born," Lily snapped and then stormed off.

"That girl is a puzzle," James muttered.

"But a rather hott puzzle," Sirius said with a grin but quickly frowned when he saw James glare at him. "I mean…"

"Shut up Si," James said.

"Good idea."

"Get the hell out of my room!" James heard Lily shout from her room that night. He stopped in the entrance and watched as Harrison walked by.

"Get out Harrison…and I say that with love," James said sarcastically.

"She can see right through you," Harrison snapped.

"Excuse me?"

"She's no idiot. Not matter what you do, she won't like you," Harrison sneered.

"And apparently, she won't like you either," James scorned and then pushed him out the door. James took a deep breath and entered the common room. He peered into Lily's room to see her crying on her bed. "Um…Evans?"

"Go away Potter," Lily said, wiping away her tears.

"Evans, you hardly knew him," James said awkwardly.

"That didn't stop him from trying to sleep with me," Lily said. She then looked up and groaned, instantly regretting what she said. "Oh god, I can't believe I just said that."

James walked a little further into her room. "What happened?" he asked as nicely as possible.

Lily sighed and sat up. "Apparently he thought because I made out with him that sleeping with him was the next step," Lily said.

"Yeah…we guys tend to think that," James said. Lily smiled a little.

"Well you guys suck."

"No…but apparently we think you should," James said. Lily gave him a look. "Not helping?"

"Not really."

"Just forget about him," James said with a shrug.

Lily sighed and lay down on her bed. James took that as his cue to leave. But before he left, he turned around and said, "Evans?"

"Yeah?"

"In no way do I think you are a goody-two-shoes or a bitch. I was aggravated and took it out on you and I'm sorry," James said. He started to leave but said one more thing. "Don't be so hard on yourself, someone else will come along." And with that, James walked out and didn't get to see the small smile that started to form on Lily's face.

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Chapter 2 is up...don't forget to review!