James and Remus walked into the common room about twenty minutes later. Lily saw no need to get up, she was enjoying her book to much. Besides they were deep in conversation about something.

"So Evans really knows?" James asked.

"Yes," Remus replied.

"Since when?"

"Since first year."

"Longer then us? Seriously?"

"Yes. I needed to talk to someone. She was always good to talk to. She helped me. More then she knows I think."

"Ah, I love that girl. I really want to…"

"Don't go any further with that comment, Potter," Lily cut him off and sat up.

"Evans!" James looked surprised.

"Don't act so surprised. I do live here you know."

"Me too! Isn't it great?! It's like being married or something!"

"Potter!"

"No really Lily! It's quite true!"

"Remus, make him shut up."

"He doesn't have an off switch when it comes to you."

"Remus, this is the second time today you have refused to help me! What is up with that?"

"I value my self interest just a little more. James would kill me if I sided with you." Remus sat on the couch next to Lily. She moved her legs to make room for him. James leaped over the couch and landed on the other side of her. There was not room for the three of them on the small couch. Lily sat squashed between the two of them.

"James go sit somewhere else."

"But I want to sit here." His arm wound its way around her waist pulling her, if possible, even closer to him.

"Potter, I'm warning you."

"Wow Lily, I didn't know you had changed your mind on James." Amber entered the common room.

"I haven't. But the pea brain has yet to figure it out." She hauled herself up off the couch and away from James and Remus. Amber came to stand next to her.

"Are you sure? You looked pretty comfy before."

"You see how comfortable it is." Lily shoved Amber playfully onto the couch. Only problem was that Lily's spot was gone, having been taken over by the boys. Amber landed on Remus' lap.

"Wow, that's too much for me. I'm gone." James quickly removed himself from the couch and stood by Lily. "How long till they give in and decide to get together?" he muttered in her ear.

"I have no idea," she whispered back.

"Let's try to speed up the process."

"How?"

"Like this!" James turned on Lily and proceeded to tickle her. She laughed loudly. James brought her to her knees in a matter of seconds and soon after that he had her on the ground.

"James… stop… can't breath… I'm going… to kill… you…" she gasped.

"No. I will not stop! Not until Remus asks Amber to go to Hogsmeade with him!"

"James!" Lily was trying desperately to fend him off but was having little success. Amber and Remus watched in amusement, until James uttered his demands. Remus went bright red and looked away.

"Remus… please! Cannot… breath here!"

"Guess that leaves me with no choice," he muttered. "Amber, would you like to go out with me?" He was beet red but he forced himself to look at her. He felt a little better when he saw how red she was too, and how close she was sitting to him. Oh wait, she was sitting on him.

"Um, yes. I'd like that."

"James," Lily still tried to beat back his attacks. "Enough!" Finally he pulled back and let her go. She lay on the floor gasping for air. "Not funny! That was not what I had in mind!"

"But that's what I thought up!"

"Next time you think of an idea, mention it to me before so I can run away."

"Hey, it worked though!"

"Fine. I'll give you that." James reached down and offered her a hand up. She took it resentfully. He pulled her up so quickly that she thought she was going to fly past him but he caught her and steadied her.

"Remus, next time, do something before I end up at the mercy of James Potter! That makes three times today!"

"But this time I helped you!"

"Not fast enough!"

"It's true Remus. She has been at his mercy today several times, and it's your fault," Amber said grinning.

"Not that you're complaining, right?" he said grinning as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Can't say that I am," she admitted. He leaned towards her, breathing against her neck taking in the smell of her hair and her skin.

"I'm going to be sick!" James announced.

"Oh grow up," Lily replied. "I'm leaving. James, leave."

"What? I live here!"

"GO!" Lily shoved him through the portrait. She walked away from him down the corridor, heading outside.

"Where are you going?"

"The lake."

"Can I come?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Oh come on Lily, let the poor boy come!" Sirius whined from behind. Dawnelle caught up with her and linked arms with her.

"I'm coming," she said.

"Ok."

"Well, we might see you there! We're headed that way ourselves!" Sirius said joyfully.

"Oh geeze," Lily said. She walked with Dawnelle down to the lake. They strolled around on the grass taking in the sunset and the cool evening air.

"You are really annoyed with James right now, aren't you?" Dawnelle asked.

"Oh no. Is it that obvious?' Lily replied sarcastically.

"What are you going to do?"

"How should I know? He practically lives with me."

"He DOES live with you!" Sirius said loudly behind them. They both jumped.

"Shut up Sirius. Don't remind me."

"Oh Lily, what can I do to prove my love for you?" James yelled behind her. Dawnelle and Lily stopped and turned to him. "Shall I slay a dragon? Or shall I rescue you from an evil villain?"

"James, she hasn't been captured by en evil villain. She doesn't need to be rescued," Dawnelle pointed out. James and Sirius exchanged evil glances before Sirius ran and grabbed Lily. He threw his shoulder.

"I am the evil villain. I have taken the red haired beauty captive!"

"SIRIUS PUT ME DOWN!"

"Don't worry Lily! I will save you!" James sprinted after Sirius, who was running towards the lake.

"You two are being ridiculous! Sirius, put me down!"

"As you wish!" Sirius allowed Lily to fall slowly from his shoulder. Into the water.

"SIRIUS BLACK I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU JUST DID THAT!" Lily screamed.

"I'll help you!" James lifted her easily out of the water.

"Get off of me! Both of you just leave me alone!" She took off running towards the castle. Dawnelle ran swiftly after her.

That evening was the Halloween feast. The Great Hall was beautifully decorated with jack-o-lanterns and candles of all shapes and sizes. The now dry Lily and Dawnelle were sitting with some other girls from Gryffindor, making sure to ignore James and Sirius who were sitting down a ways making jokes and telling stories.

"James looks good tonight," one girl, Tracy, commented.

"Speak for yourself," Lily replied.

"And most of the other girls in this room," another girl said. They all laughed.

"Except of course Lily."

"So you're not dating him then?" a sixth year who had been listening in asked.

"No, of course not!"

"You might want to tell him that." The girl nodded to the other end of the table. They all looked up to see a magical banner waving brightly over the table. It was written in vibrant red and gold. It said "Lily and James forever". Lily sighed and pulled her wand out. She looked at James who winked at her. She smiled sweetly and waved her wand. The words reformed themselves to read "Get over it Potter". Everyone watching the sign laughed loudly. James shrugged and turned back to Sirius.

"So Sirius, seen Remus?"

"Nope. He's not here. Though neither is Amber so I'd think twice before trying to go find him." James laughed and looked around the Great Hall again. Suddenly he paled and looked back at Sirius.

"Sirius," he started. Sirius looked up form his plate, his mouth full of food and saw James' sickly pale face.

"What," he asked, swallowing quickly.

"It's a full moon tonight," James whispered. Sirius suddenly lost his appetite as his face lost all of its color.

"Amber," he choked.