Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize. I believe it belongs to one J.K Rowling?

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long for this chapter. Research paper has been killing me eh… Well here is Chapter Six!

Chapter Six- Birthday Surprises

Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday dear Lily! Happy Birthday to me! Finally 18! And it's 7 in the morning. Every time I'm looking forward to something I seem to get up earlier. I suppose I want it to happen sooner. So… at 7 in the morning on this lovely September afternoon, I'm thrashing around through my large pile of presents!

First up, Ashley's! Ahh anticipation… ripping… tearing. Finally!! Present is now visible. What's this? Photo album? No… scrap book! There's the picture from first year with the girls, (Ashley, Alexis, Alice, and Me!) Aren't I the odd one out all A's except me. Oh well… I flip through the book, and then decide its time to wake up the lovely Ashley. So of course you can't do that the traditional shove a little wakey wakey conversation.

So, this requires a running head start… and then a dive… and then an oomf. Now comes the shouting.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Okay, I was wrong. Shrieking it is. Well Ashley is up.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you best friend!"

"Okay Lily, I'm real glad you liked the present and everything, but can you get off me. I do need to breathe every once in awhile."

Whoops… Well I roll off the bed not thinking of the consequences. So another oomf and then I'm on my feet.

"Hey Lil?" Ashley called me from the bathroom where she was currently brushing her teeth. She has some teeth fetish… brushes her teeth every hour basically… flossing in class. All that good stuff.

"Yeah Ash?"

"Did you by any chance see the last page of the scrap books?"

Hmm nope, I don't think I did.

"No I'll check it right now!"

Turning… flipping, more turning and last page. WHAT THE HECK. Who took a picture of James… in a towel? Ahh that was from my little prank! Why is this in my scrap book? And why did Ashley think I wanted a picture of James, let alone in a towel?

"ASHLEY!! WHY is there a freaking picture of HIM in a TOWEL!!!?"

"Well, Lily my darling, we all know after that scene you were thinking about it for ages. So I decided to capture the moment in time. Preserve it forever."

Beside the picture was a caption. It had Ashley written all over it. 'James Potter at his finest, enraging the feisty red headed love of his life.' I decide to let it go. You know… pick my battles.

"Nice Ash, it really does capture the essence of Potter and me."

Now, part of being head girl is planning when Hogsmeade trips are, and there just so happens to be one the day of my birthday. What a coincidence right? Yeah, my friends didn't believe it either. So, the gang (the collective term for the Marauders and the girls) is going together to make my birthday amazing. Its just too bad Alice and Frank can't come. Since they left last year they've been non-stop with Auror training.

Anyways, since Ashley and I were being our normally loud selves, we seem to have woken up Alexis. And now since I've accomplished disturbing the peace, it's back to my presents. Next up Alexis. Hopefully nothing to do with James. Opening presents is the best; tearing up the paper just happens to be my favorite part. And now… Yes! Restock on all my candy needs. The girl knows I love myself some chocolate. Looks like Alice got me a few books to prepare for Auror training next year. And now for the boys presents …

"The Pranksters Guide to Hogwarts; Memoirs of the Marauders… they're kidding. They wrote a BOOK? They don't even read! How did they write a book? What's this other thing? How to Lose You're Goodie Ways and Become an Ultimate Prankster. Do they honestly think I want to be like them? And do they honestly make books titled that or is this some sort of prank…?"

Well, I suppose you never do know with those boys. At least it's better than serenading me with the Marauders version of Happy Birthday around Hogwarts…

I wonder where the present from the 'rents is? Well it had better be good considering they're LATE on delivering it.

Almost time for Hogsmeade, almost time for Hogsmeade doo dah doo dah… Okay finished with that.

"ASHLEY, ALEXIS are you two almost ready??? It does not take that long to get ready!"

"Alright, alright… we're coming."

And with that, I set off for the Great Hall, breakfast, and whatever else lurks downstairs.

……………………………………………………………………………………

Oh those boys. For some reason they felt the need to place a 'Birthday Girl' hat on me, and apparently, I'm obligated to wear this all day. Sometimes I just don't know about them. Finally time for Hogsmeade!

"So, Marauders, girls, where are we off to first?"

"Lils, it's YOUR birthday, where do you want to go."

Alexis seems to have the most common sense of the group. Honestly, me asking where we should go on MY birthday. What am I thinking? I try not to look too sheepish as I reply.

"Erm… let's start with Honeydukes, I suppose."

"Good idea Little Flower." Sirius and his nicknames… I swear he has one for everyone.

"Siri-poo, what is with you and you're nicknames?" Ashley asks while linking arms with Sirius.

Ashley flirting is something to witness. Sometimes, I don't think she can be any more obvious with the fake clingy girly thing.

"Well love, I feel nicknames allow the person to feel the affection I have for them, instead of using their everyday boring ol' names."

"Sirius, I'm sure Snape doesn't appreciate the name Snivellus, and how in the world does that show affection for him?"

Ahh… Alexis said what I was going to say…

"You got me Lexi. I have absobloodylutely no affection for that slimy Slytherin."

"Okay Padfoot, girls, let's drop the nickname questioning. None of us will ever be able to understand the thing that is Sirius Black." Remus finally cut in. Good thing too, I was getting tired with the inquisition.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

So after about an hour of meaningless wandering around Hogsmeade, we've finally found ourselves outside the 3 Broomsticks. All of us wander in through the door, and attempt to find a place to sit. However, after a few glances around the room I notice a few people that shouldn't be there.

Alice and Frank Longbottom… and my parents?

And that's when some singing finally hits my ears after the initial shock.

Double Double toil and trouble
Fires burn and caldrons bubble
Rats, Stags, Wolves and Big Black Dooogggss……
Something wicked this way comes!
Birthday wishes, lots of kisses
Bows and ribbons full of mischief
Marauders here and Marauders therrrreeee….
Happy Birthday Dear Evans!

Oh gosh… not the Marauders birthday song… I knew this birthday was turning out too good to be true. They just had to embarrass me in Hogsmeade… in front of my parents…Wait my parents… Oh yeah!!!

"Mom! Dad! What are you two doing here??"

"Well honey, you're friends here said they were going to have a little get together, and they invited us."

I turn to my friends and basically strangle them all with hugs. I think I might just have the best friends a gal could ever have.

"Thanks everyone, this is shaping up to be the best birthday I've ever had. And Alice Frank, how did you two manage to get out of Auror training for the day? I thought they were strict about that?"

"Lils, do you honestly think I would miss one of my best friend's birthday party? Of course not! And I thought the Marauders might like to play catch up with Frank a little, so I dragged him along."

And with that, we all head over to a large private room Madam Rosmerta had for us, and I begin to play catch up with my parents, Frank and Alice. Of course the boys immediately jump into a conversation about Quidditch. And the girls of course swoop Alice up to learn all about her new marriage. So I engage in some catch up with my parents.

"Dad how are you liking Tunia's new husband? Is he still as disgusting as he was a few months ago?"

"Lily, honey, of course he is. I don't think that man can change. But as long as Petunia's happy I suppose I'll have to live with him."

"How about you mum, still recuperating from the pink disaster my sister likes to call a wedding?"

"Oh Lily, you don't even know the half of it. The house is STILL covered with pink lacey frills everywhere I go. I thought it was all gone but it seems to be haunting me…"

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After a few hours of friendly chatter, it's time for us to be heading back to school and time to say goodbye to the 'rents.

"Lil, are you going to be coming home for Christmas? I know its a few months away, but Petunia just told us she will be spending Christmas with Vernon and his family, so would you like to come home for Christmas with us?"

"No Petunia? I wouldn't miss it for the world mom. But I really need to be getting back to school; I don't want to be late. Thanks so much Mum, Dad for coming. This was the best birthday surprise ever."

With a couple hugs and kisses, Mom, Dad, Frank and Alice are gone. So we all head back up to the castle, excitedly rehashing the day. After a few minutes of this we reach the castle doors. Before we go in I ask for a little chat with my friends.

"Girls, Marauders, I want to thank you so much for planning this for me. I really appreciate it so much."

And I walk through the group giving the girls hugs and the boys receive kisses on the cheek. I finally reach James, now this could be a little weird.

"James, could I speak with you for a moment?"

"Sure Lily Flower."

We detach from the group and allow them to walk through the doors, although they're probably eavesdropping.

"James I really wanted to especially tell you thank you, because I know you planned this. It had James Potter written all over it. So… umm… thanks."

And then I do the unexpected… I plant a kiss right smack dab on the lips. I look up in time to see that foolish grin on his face. And then I do what I always do in a time of trouble… run. And fast.