Lily was enjoying walking around the castle with James after hours, pretending to be looking out for rule breakers, but really just chatting. She especially enjoyed it when she got to brag.

'See? I was right about Remus and Dorcas!'

"Sure you were… just like you were right about Remus and Mary, Marlene, Lotus-"

'But I was right about Dorcas! I think I'm finally getting the hang of this matchmaking thing. I should start charging – '

"Evans… you do realize Remus and Dorcas liked each other before you got involved."

'They wouldn't have said anything if it wasn't for me. It was my plan that made it happen.' Lily was petulant. James was trying to take away her glory.

James snorted. Evans was never going to listen to him, anyway. He and Sirius had spent half the previous night yelling at, threatening and blackmailing Remus before he was willing to ask out the girl he liked. Lily hadn't exactly planned that.

"Anyway, you don't need to start worrying about finding a date for Emmeline. I have it on good authority that someone is going to ask her out" James smirked, causing Lily to widen her eyes in excitement. Amos was a guy – and Gryffindor had just had a scrimmage quidditch practice with Hufflepuff. Maybe Amos had told James something in the locker room! James could be her spy!

'Did Amos say anything?'

"Diggory?" James curled his lip in distaste, wondering slightly at Lily's excitement.

"No… Padfoot's going to ask her."

'Oh, that… she turned him down' Lily waved her hand dismissively. James wasn't a very good spy. His information was so outdated.

"She WHAT?" James Potter's head snapped up so quickly, Lily was afraid he would get whiplash.

"WHY would she do that? She liked him over the summer!"

'Maybe she found out there were better guys around than Black. ' Lily suddenly found that she couldn't quite look James in the eye. She'd forgotten how close he was to Black – she had a feeling he wouldn't be too happy if he found out why Emmeline had turned his friend down.

"Better guys?" James raised an eyebrow, staring at the blushing redhead in suspicion. She seemed to be avoiding his gaze, and she was playing with the ends of her robe the way she always did when she was nervous. And guilty.

"Lily… you didn't…"

'I didn't what?' Lily looked up, defiant. She was only helping Amos get over his heartbreak and helping her friend not date someone who didn't deserve her. She hadn't done anything wrong.

"You told her to say no to Sirius, didn't you?"

'Black doesn't deserve her.'

"And let me guess… Amos Diggory does?" James was speaking in slow, deliberate sentences, taking deep breaths in an attempt to control his temper.

'He's good looking and smart. And responsible.'

"Sirius is good looking too. He's one of the top five students in our year. And he liked Emmeline."

'He had an affair with Hestia over the summer!'

"Let me guess… Amos Diggory told you that?"

'So what if he did?'

"I'm just going to tell you one thing – if you think Amos Diggory is going to ask your friend out, you are sadly mistaken."

'Of course he will! He likes her, he asked me about her, and he hinted that he was going to need a date for the dance.' Lily was getting angry now. James bloody Potter had no right to look at her so disapprovingly when all she had done was help. Just because Black was his friend, didn't mean he had to take his side over hers.

'He's better than Black. Black's nothing but an idiot prankster who thinks it's OK to hex anyone he sees. He's a spoilt little prince, and he's never done a thing for anybody.' Lily knew she was crossing the line here, but she didn't care. It was all Black's fault James was actually fighting with her. He'd never looked at her so angrily before – not even when she'd blamed him for her falling out with Severus. Not even when she hexed him in front of the whole school and declared she'd rather go out with the Giant Squid than spend five minutes in his company.

"Sirius Black has been through more than you could ever imagine. And he's one of the most loyal people in this school. He would risk his life for me, for Remus, for Peter. You don't know what you're talking about, Evans."

'I couldn't let her date him. He's a marauder.' Lily's eyes widened as she realized what she had said. Seeing the frozen expression on the features of the Head Boy in front of her, Lily's anger was replaced by panic.

'James –'

"Since it's obvious what you think of Marauders, you shouldn't have to spend any more time in the company of one." James spoke in a monotone, refusing to meet the apologetic green eyes in front of him.

'James I-'

"We're back at the Gryffindor Tower anyway. I'd give you a goodnight hug, but I know you wouldn't want a marauder anywhere near you" imitating Lily's haughty and sarcastic tone, James Potter strode into the Gryfffindor common room. He didn't even bother to disguise the hurt and disappointment on his face as he practically ran up the stairs to the seventh year boys dormitory, leaving Lily standing in the common room, fighting back tears.

AN: OK I know this is a short chap, but I felt it's necessary to end here. You guys know what to do to make me write faster hint hint hehe.