Disclaimer- As ever, I don't own Harry Potter or the canon characters unless the stress of finals has magically turned me a British woman named J.K. Rowling...oh wait no that doesn't happen in real life.

First kisses are something to be remembered.

Even if the majority of them are terrible. It's the first step towards building more than just a friendship with another person, even if it's a pale imitation of the real deal. It's worked up to the point where before it happens, the first kiss represents this moment that everyone assumes will change their life. They'll be kissed, loved and they will finally understand the meaning behind the majority of songs (what else is there to sing about after all). It's only after having that first kiss that it becomes apparent in the next moment of clarity when they're alone thinking about it, that it hasn't changed much, and that the perfect first kiss is mainly unattainable.

Sirius Black had the earliest start. He was seven and was the prize of the Black family, apart from his older cousin Bella. At home he enjoyed destroying everything he could get his hands on, but when his family brought him out in public, he already knew how to turn on the charm. It was at one of the annual balls held by the Lestrange's. He was sitting in a corner watching his cousin make a fool of herself in front of the oldest Lestrange son when all of a sudden, they vanished. After a quick peek to see his parents occupied, he crept out of the hall and out onto the balcony. Behind a bush he watched as his cousin was mauled. He had half a mind to use his scrawny arms to pull the boy off his cousin when she began to make the most peculiar noises. Sirius caught on faster than any seven year old should. Two weeks later, at the Annual Ministry Ball he had found a nice eight year old girl with dark hair and shockingly blue eyes. His first kiss began with "Dorcas wanna play a game" and ended with a fist to his face.

Mary MacDonald had been an innocent little ten year old. There was a boy she had known since grade school who always came around to her parent's hobby shop. First it had been with his parents when they would come in to talk to Mary's parents. But upon reaching that golden age of 10, when they could finally run around without their parents watching them (in close proximity at least), he began coming into the store and talking to the shy little Mary. She'd sit behind the counter with her dad as he helped customers and smile brightly at everyone who walked by. Her and the boy had the simplest conversations you'd expect from two not even pre-teens shy around each other. Until one day, when she had ventured out to take a walk around the porcelain dolls. She was telling him how pretty she thought that one of the dolls were when he thought to grab her hand. She stared up at him, blinking her brown eyes when he suddenly leaned forward and kissed her. She turned eleven the next week of summer and received a letter to Hogwarts.

Marlene Jardine was in third year. She was no stranger to the idea of kissing, she was of course 13 years old. She had heard Mary's tales of muggle boys and she watched Dorcas' exploits, as she already controlled half the male population with her early development. Lily, though she also had never been kissed, still had boys after her. Marlene had wandered out past hours (the patrolling prefect was her older brother, so she had no fear of being admonished by him) and was sitting in the astronomy towers, watching the stars. Lily had told her a muggle myth about wishing on shooting stars and she was waiting for one to appear that she could wish on. After an hour of waiting and thinking, Marlene decided she would never be kissed. Tears began to rush out, and she sat up and tucked her legs in. A slight noise caused her to look up and see Remus Lupin looking down at her with concern. She inwardly cursed, Dorcas said boys didn't want to see girls cry, and tried to hide her face. He smiled at her and plopped down next to her. After a little prodding, she told him her worry. He smiled at her and told her he hadn't been kissed yet either. Tear stained Marlene had her first kiss with a friend while a shooting star sailed above.

Lily Evans dreamed of a wonderful boyfriend. Boys had been asking her to Hogsmeade as soon as they were allowed. She turned them down, waiting for one who she thought would become her boyfriend. When a cute fifth year asked her out (she was in fourth year), she finally said yes. Frank Longbottom was the type of bloke she could date. He told her she was pretty in the Three Broomsticks and he bought her a giant sugar quill in Honeydukes. He held her hand and walked her back to the Gryffindor Common Room and leaned in to kiss her. They had only just touched lips when they heard laughter from behind them. Standing in the entrance to the common room was Sirius Black. He gave a maniacal laugh that gave Lily the chills. The next week the Marauders made it their mission to make everyday the worst day for Frank. By Friday he told her that she was a great girl but just not for him, though maybe she should try dating James Potter.

Caradoc Dearborn and Emmeline Vance had their first kiss at six when they had a pretend wedding. Everyone of importance was in attendance from Caradoc's brother to Emmeline's favorite doll. Caradoc promised to always share his pumpkin juice and fudge with Emmeline and she promised to give him the good flavors from Bertie Bott's. They innocently kissed as they had seen Emmeline's Aunt do the week before at her wedding. Emmeline wrinkled her nose at it after and Caradoc's brother kicked him in the shin because it was his turn to marry Emmy and Caradoc's turn to say they were married.

James Potter had watched Sirius Black immediately start stealing every pretty girl's first kiss in first year. He watched Peter Pettigrew have his first kiss in Truth or Dare. He even saw Remus Lupin come in at 3 am to tell him he had kissed Marlene. James Potter waited until fourth year. He found a girl sitting in the Owlery that he thought was perfect. Of course when she hexed him after asking her out, he found himself in a closet with the then sixth year Micaela DiNotom getting a lesson in firsts.

"Did you get the supplies yet Padfoot?"

Three of the five boys that lived in the dormitory were draped across their various beds, making sure they had everything set.

"Course I did Prongs."

"And Pete how's the music spell coming?"

"Just tying in a few more things. Remus has to check it after too." Peter was sitting on the floor of the room with a record and a radio, performing a spell he had perfected two years ago.

"It'd probably be fine if he doesn't. For a bloke who's terrible at classes, you're good with music." James replied checking the two things off the list and continuing to scan it.

"What can I say it's my passion." Came the dry response.

"Prongs you cover the invites?" Sirius Black said while strutting over to the mirror. "Including that chick from Ravenclaw. The one with those pink streaks?"

"Invites are out. And Trina? You want us to let that psycho in?"

"James you say psycho, I say bloody great shag."

James rolled his eyes. "Mate, she's past psycho. Full on loon."

Sirius barked out a laugh. "Prongsie you should give the bird a go. She does this wild thing with—" Sirius' mouth began moving with the words while no sound came out. He stared curiously at himself in the mirror before turning to glare at James.

"Sorry, I wasn't interested in Sirius' latest shag." Remus announced to his friends, entering the dorm. He walked over to James handing him a sheet. James looked up at him confused. "It's the incantation to prevent third years and under from getting near the alcohol. They won't be able to pour it themselves and if some idiot does it for them, it makes it so the liquid won't leave the cups."

"That's brilliant Remus. Would you mind checking over this for me?" Peter said indicating the record.

"No drunk third years?" Sirius asked from the opposite side. The other three stared at him.

"How'd you break Remus' spell?" Peter asked cautiously

"You blokes have no confidence in my magic abilities do you?" he pouted, "I can do the whole wordless thing James was prattling on about a few months ago."

"When'd you have time to manage that?"

"I've had a lot of free time lately."

"Did you finish your stupid test yet?"

"Mary shut up or go find Benjy." The pair were sitting outside while Marlene was reviewing her test for Divination. The professor was a brittle old woman who believed that were she to hold an in class exam, terrible events would take place (as per a prediction by the professor's self-proclaimed prodigy, Sirius Black). As such, she assigned a take-home test that was due at 5:00pm. Marlene was checking hers over for errors while Mary rolled around in the grass next to her.

Mary flipped on to her back and began staring at the clouds. "Benjy's busy saying bye to a few of the older Ravenclaws." Giggling she added "Like that dishy Christian Licari." She resumed her restless rolling.

Marlene glared down at her giggling, now grass stained friend. "You're wearing white Mary."

"I'm not about to jump in the lake now am I."

"No but you're beginning to resemble a turtle in coloring."

"Marly don't be so surly. I'll throw my robes and tie back on and no one will know." Marlene rolled her eyes and began wrapping her scroll.

"Well do that. I have to hand this in and we promised to meet Lily."

"We are?" Mary said titling her head to the side as she sat up and began assembling her tie.

"You forget anything I say not revolving around that bloke of yours don't you?"

"It's a brilliant strategy. This way I'm always surprised." Mary brushed her hair back as she stood up. "You'll understand once you finish evaluating and jump on one."

"Mary, I really hate you."

"Oh Marly you always say that." Mary said flippantly "But let's be honest. You hate me like Lily hates James. You keep saying that you want nothing to do with me, but in the end you find yourself constantly with me."

"Edgar are you going to speak yet?" Dorcas asked impatiently. "You drag me here under the pretenses you want one last shag before you graduate and you haven't even tried to kiss me yet. You've actually avoided my advances."

Edgar looked at the girl tapping her crossing leg, obviously frustrated with him. He sighed, and in response she stopped tapping her leg. Standing up she looked at him, her blue eyes burning into his. Her head was held high, and the combination of her already tall stature and slight heels on her shoes made her rise to his level. She wasn't quite glaring at him, the look held no sign of friendliness but none of distaste either. She was simply just looking at him, stoic. It was now or never for Edgar. She would not contact him over summer, he was aware of that. She didn't keep in contact with any prior trysts or any of the male species for that matter. He was of both categories and knew that unless she could officially be named as his, he would meet the same fate as all those before him. Drooling and depressed over Dorcas Meadowes and sharp bedroom eyes.

"This is ridiculous. I'm going to meet the girls."

"Stay with me." Dorcas left her stoic expression in place as she looked at him, searching for a hint of anything other than need. "Please, stay with me Dorcas."

"You knew what this was Edgar." She finally said. "There's a reason my friends aren't aware of you, the same reason yours have no idea who the bloody hell I am."

"No." He was forceful now, the need dissipated. He grasped her wrist as she went to turn towards the door. "No. You will listen to me Dorcas." He pulled her and directed her shocked body with ease back into her sitting position on the bed. "I don't want to sneak around. I don't want to pretend we never had anything other than a few classes together. I want you in more than ways than what you've given me."

Her shock remained as he waited, panting with his newly pounding adrenaline rush. He wanted to solve it, in the way they always had but his point would be lost if he moved any closer, if he gave in to the rush.

"There's no other way to have me."

"Have you guys gotten an invitation yet?" Emmeline called as she pushed open the door to her dorm. Honey was trying a new potion on Freja's hair, hoping to darken the blondes natural hair.

"Invitation to what?" Honey replied as she stuck her wand between her teeth so she could pull both potion-covered hands through the long locks of Freja's hair.

"Gryffindor's supposed to be having a party. Caradoc always makes sure I get one."

Freja laughed, "You thought after Caradoc's stunt they'd let him pick people. Are you daft?" Her accent caused the last word to sound emphasized, increasing the offence that Emmeline took.

"I'm not daft." She responded, drawing out the word to mirror the Scandinavian touch to Freja's words. "What stunt are you even talking about?"

"Lily Evans." Honey put blankly

"Why is it always about Lily fuc—"

"Emmy why aren't you getting dressed yet?" Cari announced upon walking in. "She was holding several different hangers with a variety of slinky outfits clinging to them "We only have two hours!"

"Did you get an invitation?" Emmy's shrill voice said as she whipped around to face her friend.

"Of course I did Emmy. You're not the only one with a Gryffindor boy. Now go get ready."

"I can't go. I wasn't invited."

"Must you always say such rubbish, you'll be coming with me." Cari said throwing one of several black dresses she carried at Emmeline.

"You were invited?" Emmeline asked incredulously, "Who invited you?"

"Black. We had a go last night." Cari laughed, "Told me I could bring a date if I liked."

"He didn't want a round two." Freja called from the corner, "You must be losing your touch Caridee."

"But you're welcome to join me for a round two. "Honey's sultry voice added

"Sorry Honey, told you after round one, not interested." Switching her glare she continued, "Emmy put that damn dress on. And do something with your hair, it's dreadful."

Emmeline touched her hair and looked into a mirror. "She's quite right. It's dreadful." Emmeline hated her best friend, and her mirror.

"Haven't you finished studying yet Lil?" Remus said taking a seat next to Lily as she sat reading her books.

Lily smiled and looked up at her friend. "Learning never ends." Her cheerful voice replied. "But this isn't schoolwork, just some muggle reading. It's a bit too loud in the common room for me and this morning Mary and Marlene were bickering a lot."

"That sounds like them." Remus reached out and took the book from her. "Vonnegut. Good choice Lil."

Lily laughed, "I always forget you know the muggle writers."

"Half-blood." Remus winked at her.

"I think it's more of those idiots you call friends."

He gave Lily a look specially reserved for these moments (as well as those when Sirius called Lily a priss). "Those blokes are great friends Lily. The best I've ever had as you well know."

"Remus, plenty of people would accept you if you only—"

"We've argued over this plenty of times Lily and my stand remains the same." He sighed and placed her book back in front of her. "We do have another thing to argue over though."

"I will not go out with Potter."

Remus smiled, "You always assume it's that. I just wanted to make sure you were coming tonight. Wouldn't be the same if you didn't throw a few hexes towards a smashed Sirius would it?"

"I'm sure I could get Marlene to take over that duty for me. We've been teasing her a bit this week about him."

"Make sure to mention that to Sirius. It'd be great to take the mick out of him that shagging him is a bad thing, especially for our own Gryffindor girls…But you've avoided my question, you're coming tonight?"

"And give Potter another opportunity to mock me? Muck up any other chance at a decent bloke I have?"

"Come with me Lil."

Lily crinkled her forehead at him. "I may not know Potter as well as you, but wouldn't that be a bad idea."

Rolling his eyes he said "As friends. You're a smart witch, the as friends was implied. You should know I don't enjoy the idea of hanging from the great hall's ceiling, clinging to an enchanted star while being pelted with dungbombs." Lily snorted and remembered poor Bradley Clarke.

"She here yet?"

Marlene and Dorcas both rolled their eyes at their friend. "No Mary and don't bloody ask again."

"Dory don't be a cow."

"Shut the bleeding fuck up MacDonald."

"I thought sex was supposed to put you in a good mood. Least that's what I've heard." Mary turned to the third member "Haven't you heard the same Marly?"

"Marlene, shut her up or I will."

"Dammit where's Lily."

"Lily would agree with me." Mary pronounced

"No she would stop me from killing you."

"No she'd help me—"

"Can't I leave you three alone for five minutes without World War III happening?"

Marlene frowned, "What are you talking about?"

"Muggle thing." Lily said waving her hand to brush it aside before she glanced quickly scanning each of them. "None of you are dressed."

An eruption of voices greeted her.

"Marly said we couldn't get ready until you got here!"

"We want to spend our last night together don't we Mary?"

"Lily, you left me alone with her whining!"

"What does spending our last night together have to do with anything?"

"Who says Lily wants to go?"

"Why wouldn't she?"

"Not everyone likes to get drunk and hang off a guy MacDonald."

"Look who's talking Meadowes."

Lily put a hand to her head as her friends continued to fight. She sighed and moved over to her closet pulling out a dress she had gotten from Mary a year before. With Mary selecting a dress with her own particular taste in mind, the dress had never become a favorite of Lily's. There was too much leg, too much cleavage, too much of everything that Lily rarely showed off.

"Lily what are you doing?" Marlene asked, looking at the dark dress rather than the pale Irish eyes of her friend.

"Getting ready, something you three ought to consider."

"Yes but—"

"Oh the dress! Lily you're finally going to wear my present!"

"Prongs can we start it up yet?" Sirius said looking down at the slowly filling common room with a smirk. The four of them were lined along the railing overlooking the common room. There were a few scattered guests from other houses, mainly grouped by year and house, though a few fifth years from Ravenclaw and Gryffindor were huddled together. Sirius could spot his latest conquest, Remus could see the first years trying curiously to enter an area that he had magically blocked off for the drinks and Peter could watch as people took notice as his music began to play. James could see his friends, both the Marauders and the drinks, and he could see a few new faces scattered, but he failed to see the spot of red he'd been watching for.

"She's coming mate, don't worry." Remus commented, taking his eyes off the drink table to glance at his friend. "I made sure she would."

"How'd you convince the priss?"

"Padfoot." James said sharply, before allowing his curiousity to take over and ask the fair-haired boy the same question, without the priss of course.

"Don't get mad James." Remus began, "Wait until I finish my sentence."

"Why would I get mad?" He said grinning, "Lily's coming."

"Well, she is coming with someone."

"She's what?"

"Where's Dearborn, I kill the bastard."

"Sirius you may not kill our roommate." The two internally winced and Remus nervously took a breath before adding, "It's not him. She's…Lily's coming with me."

James stared at his friend. For the three of them it felt like the pause lasted forever, though Peter, still focusing on his spell, would say it happened quickly, for once that never-ending moment paused the group, James had shoved Remus against the wall and pressed his wand against his throat just dodging his adam's apple while Sirius had begun a stream of profanities that lifted across the common room above the slowly growing music. Remus tried to speak but James wordlessly silenced him. Even without the spell, the look on James' face may have been enough to quiet the wolfish boy, not to mention the mirrored look of anger on Sirius' face, though Sirius' held none of the betrayal that was so evident on James'.

"You know how I feel about her." James growled

"Making my life a living hell for betraying our secret, you go and do this." Sirius bared his teeth, showing them in his friend in a threatening way and in Remus' mind they sharpened with each low word he spoke. To change at will, and to only change partially was something that James and Sirius had both mastered long ago. "Speak traitor."

"You're comparing me taking Lily as a friend just so she shows up to what you did?" Remus said enraged, "Even if I was in love with Lily it wouldn't even—"

"A betrayal is a betrayal!"

"You love her?"

"You almost killed someone."

"You're taking away your best mate's girl."

"You love her? Are you fucking with me?"

"I just told you I'm not—"

"Fucking her? Or is it just a fucking her yet?"

"You did what?"

For a verbal fight that erupted so quickly, the physical fight was even faster. Within seconds Remus had shoved Sirius, who responded by punching him, while James tried to drag Remus to face him and demand what the hell was going on but had ended up receiving Remus' left hook response to Sirius, leading him to believe Remus had stolen his Lily and officially joined the fight by giving Remus his first not self-inflicted black-eye. It probably would have continued had it not been for Peter…and probably the entirety of the party looking up and watching their squabble.

"Impedia" The three boys froze in their places, "Sonorus… I hope you all liked our way of catching your attention! But now it's time for us to welcome you to the final Marauder Party of the year!" In the center of the room a streamer exploded, the drinks became visible in the corner, the music rose to an earpopping volume and most importantly, everyone in the room became too distracted to notice Peter rolling the boys away from the railing.

"Do we agree those four belong in St. Mungo's yet?" Dorcas said dryly to the girls as they watched Peter roll the four boys into the shadowed part of the balcony.

"Never any argument about Black. He's as off the wall as they come."

"He's that kinky Marl?" Mary giggled before receiving an elbow to the side.

"You know what I mean. That whole Slytherin purist family, now he's a Gryffindor thing probably screwed him for life." Marlene nodded in the direction of the boys, "Needs some serious therapy that one."

"Maybe you could be the one to give it to him, I bet he wouldn't mind it."

"Mary you're a bitch."

"And you're a priss."

"Nah Lily's the priss."

"I'm not a priss."

"Prove it."

Dorcas knew how much Lily hated dares.

"You haven't shagged her yet then?" James asked stoically.

"Prongs I have no interest in Lily other than platonically." Remus implored, "We're just mates, we always have been. I thought I was helping you, making sure she came rather than hung out upstairs. Not to mention Lily's a good bird, she'll hang around her date out of obligation and since I'll be with you."

"She'll be able to see James." Peter finished

Sirius still had a surly look on, watching the light bulb flicker on his friend's faces. Though he had no sensible reason from his friend to be so, he was suspicious of Remus' motive, and determined to protect his brother from it.

"How do we believe you?"

"Padfoot he's Remus, we believe him on default." James finished applying the bruise cream to his cheek and tossed it over to the boy on question to dab on his eye. "Shit thing to do, not to trust your friends."

"If I see you touch Lily once—"

"Sirius shut up. I don't betray my friends."

And finals have come to end. Finally. And I have time to post this, and possibly hopefully write over break. Fill me in on any grammar/spelling, I'm entirely too tired to catch everything.