It had been a fantastic win by Gryffindor, everyone agreed. Eager to congratulate Sirius, Bella took extra long collecting her bag and banner. Although she could see Lily's impatient expression, she didn't care. All she cared about was seeing Sirius at the moment. She saw Em glancing eagerly around for Remus Lupin.

"Come on, guys, the after party is about to start!" Lily said, rolling her eyes and glancing nervously at her watch.

"And why are you so suddenly eager to get to the party, Lils?" Emilee punched her playfully on the shoulder. Peter and Bella laughed.

"No reason," said Lily, although Bella knew she had detected the hint in Emilee's voice, "I just want to celebrate with my house. Whats wrong with that?" she added defensively. Before Em could reply, however, the Gryffindor Quiddich team came out of their change rooms. Emilee gave a loud gasp and ran down the stairs to greet them. Bella nervously patted her hair and Lily checked her reflection in Peter's "Go Gryffindor" badge.

"Hey ladies," James Potter addressed the group of them, looking at Lily. Sirius waved at Lily and Emilee, and Bella was surprised but delighted when she received a swift hug. Being in his muscular arms momentarily felt wonderful. When they parted, Bella was sure that she saw Sirius wink at her. Meanwhile, James was trying to chat-up a reluctant Lily, who was clearly playing hard-to-get.

"So will you come with me to the after party?" James was pleading, grinning into Lily's green eyes.

"Mmmmaayyyybbbeeeeeee," Lily said, flirtatiously.

"Please, Lils."

"Ok James. I'll accompany you for once, but this isn't a DATE, you hear?"

"Wow."

"What?"

"You called me James."

"Severus!" Lily said suddenly.

"No, you called me James." But Lily was already running towards Severus Snape, who was walking across the pitch. Bella heard James give a groan. Lily ran straight into Snape's arms, and they stood there hugging, while James looked angrily over at the pair of them. "Stupid greasy git" James muttered under his breath, as Lily whispered something into Snape's ear, and he laughed. Bella realised he looked a lot nicer when he was around Lily, more carefree, and he had a bit more colour in his cheeks.

"Lily and Snape have been best friends since before Hogwarts," Em explained to Bella, "James hates him."

The common room was crowded with sweaty bodies and smoke from the smoke machines. The lights were dim and everyone was under the influence of Butterbeer and Firewhisky. Bodies were close and hormones running high. Music was playing loudly and Bella lay in one of the squishy armchairs, completely and utterly drunk. Sirius Black walked over to her, one of his hands found the back of the armchair, the other holding a half empty bottle of Firewhisky. Bella grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him head first over the back of the chair, so he was on top of her. She began to giggle uncontrollably as she watched Sirius roll onto the floor. He looked up at her and grinned. She rolled off the armchair and onto the floor with him. He grabbed her by the shoulders, spilling Firewhisky on the carpet and began to kiss her hungrily. She kissed him back with equal passion.

James was tottering around trying to find Lily. Where was she? Then he saw her red hair bouncing somewhere in the middle of a large group of moshing students. He made his way through the group of excited drunk teenagers, and wrapped his arms around Lily's waist. He knew she wouldn't mind, she was completely off her face. Lily turned, and found James Potter standing behind her. He looked the hottest he had ever looked, from a drunken girl's perspective.

"Hey…Potter—James." She rested her head on his chest and felt his heart beating next to her ear. She felt her own heart begin to beat faster as she felt his hand through her hair. They stood like that for about 2 minutes, before someone shouted "JUST HOOK UP WITH HER POTTER!" Lily raised her head and pressed her lips against James's. Wolf whistles and cheers erupted around them. They broke apart, smiling at eachother, and then Lily lead James over to one of the armchairs by the fire, where they sat together and began to kiss again, Lily's hands twisting like snakes around James's neck, his hand running up and down her thigh, she was still wearing that red dress that outlined her perfect body… In the chair next to them were Remus and Emilee, kissing so passionately, it was hard to tell whose hands were whose. On the floor was Sirius and Bella, rolling and kissing, breaking apart every now and then to let off a laugh, or a squeal. Peter and Jane were in the corner, Janes hands in Peters, and Peter was whispering in Jane's ear softly. All around them, pairs of students were cuddling in corners, chairs and on the floor. Nobody went to bed that night.