A/N: I know, I know, this chapter is long overdue. Sorry about that! I've just been super busy with school and what not. Anyways, I tried to make this chapter longer, hopefully it's long enough...but if not...that's as good as it's gonna get, haha. So, don't let me hold you any longer, the next chapter awaits! :)

Lily's Point of View

Sugar quills, sheets, quilts, pillows, these are some of my favorite things.

Sleep really was the best remedy for anything. Got a cold? Take a nap. Stressed for N.E.W.T.'s? Siesta away, my friend. As I rolled over under my numerous blankets, gazing dreamily at the soon-to-be blizzard outside, I made the executive decision to remain relaxed today. Friday had finally arrived, and I was reveling in it. Friday was my day to sleep in until I had to rush to get to class, as opposed to my usual schedule of waking up two hours early just to fit in extra reading. Stretching my arms above my head and letting out a loud, obnoxious yawn, my thoughts wandered to Potter. We hadn't spoken in days. Weeks, even. Had he forgotten about our bet? I wouldn't be surprised if he had. After all, he was the notorious James Potter. The infamously horrid, cocky, arrogant James Potter. The one I would never even consider liking. He was insufferable. Never mind that he had matured quite a bit since last year, or that he was rather…nice-looking. Nothing more, nothing less. Although his eyes were glorious. Hazel, with little bits of gold. And his hair…his hair was ridiculous! I despised it! My mind drifted to his neck, chest, abdomen…Oh Merlin. Any lower and I would be thoroughly disturbed. Besides, he was only mildly handsome…ish.

My watch read seven fory, so, with a wistful sigh, I hoisted myself out of my cocoon. Padding across the dormitory floor, I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth before throwing on my uniform. I brushed a light coat of Muggle mascara onto my eyelashes (Curse them, the pale bastards.) and applied some clear lip balm. Then, slipping on a pair of black flats, I rushed out of the dorm to head to breakfast. A rumbling stomach was not a fun thing to wake up to. As I approached Hestia and couple other girls, I noticed that they were all grinning madly. I mean like seriously high-on-happiness. I narrowed my eyes, knowing that something was up. I cleared my throat to make my presence known.

"Morning Hes, Em, Alice, Leah…"

"Oh, Lily! You slept through Dumbledore's announcement! Guess what!" Em squealed.

"Er, a troll was found in the bathroom eating his own bogeys?"

"We're going to have a ball!"

Oh, God no. Not a ball. That meant heels and dresses and hair and heels. And did I mention heels?

"A ball…? To celebrate what?"

"Um, Dumbledore said…what did he say it was for, Alice?"

"The thing…you know, about the other thing?"

"Ah, yes! It was to celebrate the creation of Hogwarts. The coming together of the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin."

I would never understand Em and Alice's friendship. It was like they were seers, or something.

"Right, the thing about the thing, got it." I teased, a mocking grin on my face.

Em and Alice gave me a unanimous eye roll, causing my grin to widen. Checking my watch, I realized it was almost time for class. Knowing how I liked to get to the classroom early in order to get a jump-start on my reading, Hes nudged my knee with hers. I gave her a slight nod, grabbed my book bag off of the bench, and headed toward the Great Hall's exit. Hes and I had Transfiguration first thing in the morning, my worst subject, and I did whatever I could to change that. Not that it ever had any effect…McGonagall was a horribly strict grader. As we neared the classroom, I felt a large hand on my shoulder. Whirling around, my hand clamped tightly on my wand, I found myself facing none other than Remus Lupin.

"Remus! Gosh, you gave me a fright!"

Though he tried to hide it, I could tell he was stifling a laugh.

"Sorry about that, Lily."

"It's fine. What's up?"

"I was wondering if you could maybe patrol for me this coming Thursday? I don't think I'll be able to make it…I've got a commitment I can't flake out on…"

The hopeful look on his face got to me, so I agreed. He uttered a quick "thank you" and hurried off to class.

James' Point of View

"Prongs, come on! It can't possibly be the bad!"

"Look at the envelope, Moony! It's practically shouting at me!"

"Well, that is the point of a Howler, Prongs."

"Shut it, Pads."

"So are you going to open it, or what?"

"Here? In the middle of the Great Hall? I don't think so."

"You're going to have to sooner or later."

"B."

"Sorry?"

"I choose answer B, later."

"Very funny, Prongs."

I fiddled with the maroon colored envelope in my lap. Mum had promised me I'd be getting a Howler if I pulled another stunt before summer holiday, and she was one to keep her word. But that lousy Slytherin really had deserved to have his entire common room to be turned into a miniature beast playground. If only bloody Snape hadn't gone and tattled to Slughorn, earning me a month's worth of detention and a Howler from my mother. I would've taken the detention over the blasted letter any day. Suddenly, I regretted the four pieces of toast and massive plate of scrambled eggs I had so willingly wolfed down earlier. What with the churning in my stomach and imaginary pixies flying around, nibbling on my insides, a full stomach was not a good idea.

Apparently, I had been so caught up in my thoughts that I hadn't noticed Moony leave the table.

"Where's Moony?"

Sirius snorted. Bloody bastard. He knew exactly how, for lack of a better phrase, freaked out I was about the stupid envelope laying in my lap.

"He said he was going to class. Needed to go early to talk to Evans."

He had mentioned my Lily? And I hadn't even noticed? I glanced swiftly at the spot where she usually sat, and sure enough she was gone. I let out a dejected sigh. It had been exactly eight days since I had last spoken to her, and, needless to say, it was driving me mad. There were those few, precious moments when she, in all her beauty, would leave my mind. Usually those moments were provoked by my fellow Marauders, or, in this case, my terrifying mum. But for the rest of the time, her sweet, silky voice echoed in between my ears, her lovely face floating around, allowing me to fantasize like I always did. Then my mind would wander to her in that skirt, the short one, and I would have to take multiple sips of ice-cold pumpkin juice in an attempt to cool my body from the inside out.

Wormtail nudged my shoulder, lifting me from my almost-daydream.

"Time for Transfiguration, mate." He grabbed his books in one arm, waiting for me to do the same. Sirius, on the other hand, made a huge show of stretching his arms before folding them underneath his head.

"Ah, Transfiguration. My chance to see Minerva Rose." He drawled.

I raised my eyebrows at Peter, and was met with the same response.

"Pads, how do you even know her middle name?"

He grinned crookedly, answering, "I have my ways of finding out."

Peter grimaced, "Honestly, Padfoot, she's like a fifty years older than you!"

Sirius' grin widened, "But doesn't that make it all the more fun? And besides, age is but a number…"

This time I couldn't hold back a laugh, and neither could the other two. Noticing the time, the three of us leisurely exited the Great Hall, the eyes of most other students trailing behind us.

"Mr. Black, what in God's name are you doing?"

"Oh, Rosy, you noticed!"

"Mr. Black"

"I just wanted to give you a little something! Valentine's Day is coming up you know."

"Yes, yes, I am aware of the date, but it does not make this acceptable!"

Sirius smiled lopsidedly as he held up the bright red, singing parchment heart. The class assignment had been to conjure a color-changing, small turtle out of thin air, but Sirius had taken it upon himself to do the unthinkable (for anyone but him); woo Minerva Rose.

Professor McGonagall's face turned a few interesting shades of red and purple before pursing her lips and pointedly turning her back to Padfoot.

Sirius glanced at me, an expression on his face that read, I must really have pushed her over the edge! Excellent.

I chuckled and shook my head before turning my attention back to the purple (blue…yellow…green…) turtle resting in my palm. Transfiguration was always my best subject. In an attempt to find McGonagall and show her my accomplishment, I lifted my gaze, silently searching the room with my eyes. Instead of McGonagall, I found someone much, much better. Evans. She was struggling with the assignment, no doubt. Her lips were pressed into the slightest of pouts, her face was flushed to a rosy color, her eyes were focused on the air in front of her wand like two dancing, green flames. She twirled the wand again and again, discreetly cursing every time the spell failed to work. Every now and then, she would squeeze her eyes shut for a moment, before opening them again, a new glint of determination shining in each of them. It was like she was internally pressing a refresh button. Visibly exasperated, she looked up from her unsuccessful work and skimmed the room with her eyes, probably hoping for a miracle turtle to appear in front of her. My smirk transformed into a chuckle when I saw her face. She was just so…adorable. And not in a baby way…more like an extremely sexy way. Her eyes landed on me and she arched a brow, obviously peeved that I was laughing at her. She set her jaw in a bold manner and tilted her chin upwards before whipping her head back around. I maneuvered my way around the many flustered students, all trying with no avail to create a minuscule turtle, and arrived behind her. She paid no attention, did not even notice it was me. A small, mischievous smile on my face, I slowly snaked one hand down her right arm until it covered her own. My other hand rested on her waist. She froze, and I'm pretty sure her breath stopped as well. Weaving my fingers in between hers, I twirled and flicked her wand in the correct motions, and was greeted by a tiny turtle, a small evidence of victory. Lily's body was still rigid against mine. I have to admit I was nervously anticipating her wrath. Gradually, she turned to face me, backing away a tad as did. My nervous anticipations were not in vain. Jaw clenched, eyes burning into mine, and posture stiff, she needed no words. I should not have been as turned as I was in that moment.

Then, I, being the thick prat I was, decided to set her off.

"You're welcome."

That was all it took. I knew the way she'd interpret my words. She'd take them as me calling her weak and rude, like me jumping at the chance to touch her, clothed-skin-on-clothed-skin. And, of course, she was half right.

Fuming, steam almost bursting out of her ears, she violently grabbed the turtle, thrusted it in front of McGonagall's face, and stormed out of the classroom.

A/N: Oh, James, how I wish for you to help me with my wand work. Whatever. I guess you're meant for Lily. -sigh-

Expect the next chapter soon, my lovely readers!