Something from me:

I cannot believe I didn't post this sooner! I mean, all week I thought, 'I have to finish cahpter 8 soon'. But then I found out, just today, that chapter 7 wasn't even up! It's been sitting on my desktop for days! But now it's here! Sorry for the delay, and read-on!

Chapter 7: Flashback

That night after dinner, Lily took the first opportunity to tell Jess and Nat what happened.

"Um, I'd hate to say I told you so-"was Jess' first reaction.

"Then don't. Lily's had enough already," came Nat in Lily's defense.

"I'm just saying-"

"I said enough. Look, it's bad enough that she had to go through that shock alone. You

don't have to rub the 'I-told-you-so' thing in."

Lily had to say something. "Nat, Jess is right. I should have listened to you guys. Andrew turned out to be a jerk, like before. But I went ahead and got myself hurt-again. I'm sorry."

"No, Lily. There's nothing to be sorry about. You made a mistake, so what? You are going to take advantage of that mistake and learn from it, right?" Nat was always the philosophical one, and this was exactly the time to play philosopher.

"Although, it couldn't hurt to listen to your friends every once in a while. We're only looking out for you, you know." Jess added while swinging one hand over Lily's shoulders.

"Yeah, I guess you're both right."

-----------------------------------------------Flashback------------------------------------------------

Lily has just confirmed that Andrew's a part of the Soleil group and went to find Jess and Nat to tell them. She told them everything from the first surprise of his coming with the later batch to the awkward pauses in the tour.

What she didn't want to tell them, especially not Jess, was how Andrew looked at her the first time they saw each other. It was a long and serious gaze that did nothing but perplex her. She didn't want them to know that it gave her hope- hope that Andrew might still…But she forgot all about not telling them. She told them every detail.

As soon as Lily finished talking, Jess and Nat exchanged troubled looks. They knew Lily. Lily was a smart, calm and perfectly rational girl, except when in came to matters fo the heart.

"Lily, just be careful. I don't want you rushing in on anything. Especially with Andrew…remember what he did to you?" Jess sounded worried but Lily didn't seem to notice.

"This time, it's going to be different. We're not as young as we were before. I just know this time will be better." Lily said with conviction. Who could argue to something like that?

------------------------------------------------End of Flashback---------------------------------------

Sirius, Remus and Peter were looking for James. They needed him to finish the charm for a new prank. They could'nt find him anywhere, and all those they asked haven't seen him all day. It was seven at night, and they were getting hungry. And everybody knows that a hungry man isn't good to mess with. What about three hungry teenagers?

"The map would've been very useful now…" said Peter, always with his lack of delicacy.

"Well if you haven't showed Filch the map, we would still have it!" cried Sirius.

"Me! You were the one who brought it out in the first place! If you had chosen a loyal girlfriend, you wouldn't have had to check her every move from the map!"

"Don't you dare bring Marjorie into this." Sirius growled as he stopped and turned to look at Peter. Marjorie had always been a touchy subject with Sirius; she was the only girl who could compete with Sirius in his own playing field.

It was time for Remus to intervene. He came between the two and whispered something to Sirius, and then to Peter. In a few moments, it was resolved. As I said, hungry boys are irritable. The Marauders are no exceptions.

"Ok. So where haven't we looked yet?" asked Remus, trying to get the search fro James back on track.

"Kitchen?"

"Check."

"Quidditch Field?"

"Check."

"The Spot?"

"Common Room and Dorm?"

"Check."

"Detention Spots?"

"Check."
"Astronomy Towers?"

"Check."

"Owlery"

"Che-" he was interrupted by a Ravenclaw boy they passed on the way to the Great Hall.

"If you're looking for Potter, he's in the Hospital Wing." He said, without much ceremonies.

He walked past them as quickly as he interrupted them. The three remaining boys looked at each other and then started to run in the direction of the Hospital Wing. Half way there, Sirius slowed down.

"Whoa! Wait, a minute," he said, stopping the other two boys.

"What?" asked Remus, slightly out of breath.

"Well, how do we know James really is in the Hospital Wing? That guy was a Ravenclaw, we beat them in last week's game. For all we know he might just-"

"Look, Sirius. Even if he was playing us, don't you think it's worth a shot? We've looked everywhere else. And what if he really is in the Hospital Wing?" cut Remus.

It was Peter's turn. "What if James is hurt?"

"Nah!" was the reply in unison.

Sirius followed up with, "He can take care of himself. Besides, he knows all the basic healing charms and even advanced ones. Maybe Tami's in the Hospital Wing."

They did not even realize that they have already arrived. They walked in, careful to avoid Madame Pomfrey; it was past visiting hours. They found James in the first bed to the right. He was sleeping.

"Oy, Prongs!" Sirius called using his friend's nickname.

James was startled awake. After all the usual greetings between them, James proceeded to tell them exactly what happened that afternoon. He left no detail out, not even that Lily helped him get to the Hospital Wing. They have been friends from the start; he had no secrets from them.

Upon hearing this, they came up with every reaction that could possibly come from such a group of young men. Anger, disgust, resentment, laughter, admiration- you name it, they felt it.

And then Remus comes up with a brilliant idea. One that will blow certain lives away.

Something from me:

Here's the update! I'm already working on chapters 8 to 10. So, um review! Thanks for those who did and little pats of encouragements to those who haven't yet.