Disclaimer: You remember. It's on chapter 5.

Sirius woke to find himself holding Chloe Teofila while he lay in his bed. I his boxers. She was in her bra and a pair of muggle 'shorts', too. What was going on? He knew they'd been in his dormitory last night, but where had the clothes gone? How had they ended up in his bed in their undies? Oh. She woke up. This could be awkward.

"Morning, Sleeping Beauty." He murmured in her ear and she smiled. He kissed the tip of her nose and felt her arms go around his neck. Maybe it wouldn't be awkward.

"Mmm." She mumbled as she kissed him lightly. His stomach did a funny little flip that he'd never felt before. That's odd, he thought. It's almost like I actually feel something for her. Oh, no. Was this what James always said about Lily? If it was, he felt bad. He had Chloe. James did not have Lily. He ran his hands down her back lovingly. Loving? Since when was he loving?

He lay on top of her carefully and scooped her up in his arms. She smiled at him and he shivered when he felt her fingertips graze his bare arms. He didn't know why, but he hugged her. It felt nice to hug someone. He didn't do it often.

"Something's happening, isn't it?" Sirius asked, knowing full well now that he was falling in love with her. Sirius Black was in love. Crazy.

"I think so." She whispered. Inside, she was jumping for joy. He cared! Sirius Black cared about her! Yes!

"Good. I'd feel like an idiot if I fell in love with you and you had a boyfriend." He answered, filling with an unfamiliar elation.

"I don't have a boyfriend. But, Sirius?" She asked timidly.

"Yeah?"

"Talk to Potter. He needs you."

"Yeah."

OoOoO

James took a deep breath and walked up the winding staircase to the boy's dorms. He was going to apologize. He was going to beg for help, too. He would grovel if he needed to. Maybe if they started where the left off, it would be fine.

He saw Chloe Teofila sitting at the end of Sirius' bed while he did up the buttons on his shirt. Sirius was smiling at her. It wasn't a come-and-get-me smile, though. It was … sweet. And completely un-Sirius-like. Maybe Sirius had had an epiphany. Nah. He'd think that was some sort of alcoholic beverage.

"Chloe." James said. "Can I have a word with Sirius, please?"

She nodded and kissed Sirius before she left, whispering something in his ear. Sirius watched her go with a satisfied smile on his face. James shook his head ruefully. Sirius' parents wanted him to settle down with another pureblood, just like all 'respectable' (stupid) purebloods did. So what did he do? Fall for a muggleborn, of course!

"I've got it right this time, I think." Sirius said quietly. James smiled. It wasn't often that Sirius did something he thought was 'right'.

"So… when's the wedding?" James joked, feeling the weight of what he was about to do.

"Keep open the first weekend in April, say, 4 years from now?" Sirius went along with the feeble, but symbolic joke. If they were still joking, things could be saved.

"I'm sorry." Two Marauder voices said at the same time.

"I'm sorry I took my frustration out on you, Sirius."

"I'm sorry I said we weren't friends."

They stood by awkwardly for a moment. They went to hug each other, but remembered at the last minute that it wasn't manly, and shook hands firmly instead. James thought he'd wait a bit before asking about Lily. Sirius had other plans.

"So how's Lily been?"

"Horrible! She's dressing like a prostitute, but it's not for me to see, I know it! Who's taking her away?" James let the last week of his Siriusless life out in three anxiety filled sentences.

"Sound to me like you could use some help from a lady expert." Sirius said in a superior voice.

"And since when are you a lady expert?" James asked, rolling his eyes. He always liked playing this game. It was a competition between the two to see who had better experience with girls.

"Since I got Chloe Teofila to sleep with me by telling her we weren't speaking."

"Oh. Does she have something against me?" James was impressed with Sirius' escapade, but he wouldn't show it. He didn't need to. Sirius knew. "Help me, please!"

Sirius smiled and the two started on a foolproof plan that James would adjust when they were done because Sirius didn't understand the meaning of foolproof.

OoOoO

Miranda, Lily, and Gen sat on Lily's bed laughing their heads off. James' poor brain must be working overtime to figure Lily's new look out. Gen said she had seen steam coming from his ears. Miranda said that's cause Lily made him hot. Lily was thinking. Lily didn't like pretending to be someone she wasn't.

"So, Lily. What's the plan of attack for Friday? Do you plan on completing The Task then?" Gen asked. Lily put on a confident smile to cover up the nerves she felt about what she was about to say.

"Actually, I think I'll just let things pan out. You know, let fate take over." Lily announced. Miranda gawked at her like she'd gone mad, but Gen looked thoughtful.

"No way! Planning is good! It leaves no room for error!" Miranda protested loudly.

"Yeah, but if you don't plan right, it will create error!" Lily shot back readily. It was like she'd been expecting that comment from Miranda. Stupid Lily and her witty comebacks, Miranda thought.

"You know, Lily's right. If we keep planning, she and Potter aren't going to know each other. They'll have to plan the rest of their lives. How predictably boring would that be?" Gen intervened. Lily shot her a grateful look, only to catch the mischievous look in her friend's eyes. She had thought Gen was on her side, but maybe not. "Especially if Lily plans it!"

Lily let out an indignant screech and threw a pillow at her. This, of course, created an hour-long pillow fight for absolutely no reason at all. After they settled down, Lily sighed.

"I'm going to decide my future this Friday and it is going to include the hottest Potter in Hogwarts." She announced to the girls. Miranda and Gen looked at each other amusedly.

"Lils, James is the only Potter at Hogwarts."

"Why, yes, he is. That must make him the hottest one, doesn't it?"

"I suppose so."

OoOoO

Lily Evans woke to bright sunshine. She groaned, pulling the covers over her head. Today was a Hogsmead day. She could sleep in, but no. Her friends had left the curtains open so she had to get up. Oh, no. Today was Friday! She rolled over to see the grandfather clock beside the door. 7:38. Crap. She was supposed to meet Potter in the library in 22 minutes and she was still not showered, not dressed, not fed, and not ready!

She ran around the dormitories, getting dressed as fast as possible. She stopped briefly to check her appearance before dashing out the door. She was wearing an off-white, crocheted, cowl-neck sweater that would likely fit her sister's fiancé, the Whale. She had on crisp, designer jeans that wear a perfect dark blue and her hair fell around her face in loose, natural waves. It was James' favourite outfit. He'd told her so in 5th year when she wore it all weekend after coming down with the flu. He said it looked like the perfect snuggle outfit. Then Sirius looked absolutely horrified and hit James, saying that men didn't snuggle. Ew, he had said.

She ran as fast as she could to the library. She shoved open the doors to see James Potter bent over a book in an old armchair. He looked so peaceful that Lily almost just watched instead of walking over to him. She sat herself down on the arm he was leaning towards and he looked up, startled to see her.

"Studying without a posse?" She smiled, pretending to be astonished.

"I have a posse. It's just smaller than usual." He gave her a very shy smile that she was sure he'd never done to anyone before. A quick wave of his wand conjured a platter with 2 teacups, 2 servings of toast, and milk and sugar. "Didn't figure you'd eaten yet. You're late. You're never late."

"I think I might be predictable."

"Yes, but I love it."

Lily smiled at him and took a cup of tea in her hands. It was cold today, despite the date being the end of May. James looked at her as though he really didn't care what Sirius said about men not snuggling. She had worn his favourite outfit and now his brain was mushy. Inside, she congratulated herself.

OoOoO

"I wonder how Lily and James are doing." Gen thought aloud. Miranda gave her an annoyed look as she ordered butterbeers. The two girls had ended up going with a pair of Hufflepuffs who seemed to want nothing better than to be snogging them senseless right now.

"They're probably smooching in the Restricted Section. Realley what can you do when you're studying except study?" Miranda looked quite sarcastic at the moment.

"Yeah, I suppose."

A 7th year named Amos Diggory asked Gen to dance. Miranda was about to find her date, but Amos had a friend at his side for her almost immediately.

When the dance was over, they bought some sweets for Lily at Honeydukes and headed back to the castle. There really wasn't much to do in Hogsmead without Lily there. There was no one to tease about Potter.

OoOoO

"What will act as an antidote to most poisons?"

"A bezoar. It is a tiny stone found in the stomach of a goat." James was quite pleased with himself. He had made great progress with Lily's tutoring.

"Yes! And what is the strongest love potion in the world?" Lily was excited. He actually knew the answers!

"Amortentia." He answered instantly.

"Yes! And what makes it so unique?"

"It smells like what attracts people, specific to each person." He blushed, remembering what he had smelled in Slughorn's class the day they had studied this potion. Lilies, mango soap, and parchment, he thought. You.

Seeker rubber, broom polish, and that windblown smell. You. As the thought pushed it's way into Lily's brain, she blushed.

"Er… yes. Right." Lily said, flustered. She is so pretty when she blushes, James thought as she flipped the page of her book. She glanced at her muggle wristwatch and nodded decisively. "We've been studying for nearly five hours. You deserve a break."

James smiled and rubbed his eyes tiredly. Lily watched as he drifted off to sleep and smiled happily. She'd spent five hours with him and only one awkward moment occurred. That had to be a good sign.

James smiled in his sleep and Lily wondered what about. She wouldn't tell a living soul, but she hoped it was about her.

OoOoO

"Time to wake up, Potter." A soft whisper came in his ear. He caught a smell of mango soap and sighed. He wondered if someone had Amortentia siting around. He opened his eyes to see mounds of books around him. He was still in the library, but what was more, so was Lily. He looked outside to see the setting sun. His eyes rested on the view as he recalled the last sunset he had witnessed with this girl.

James looked over at her, trying to decide if she had noticed the horizon, too. A single tear slipped down her face as she stared out the window to the panoramic view. She brushed it away before he was even sure it was there, but the distant look in her eyes told him she was thinking of the same thing he was.

"You fell asleep a while ago. I figured I'd stay to read until you woke up." She explained after clearing her throat. "But you took too long, so I woke you up."

He smiled and became suddenly aware that she had been sitting across from him as he dreamt of her. He would never tell a soul about the dream. Definitely not telling Sirius. Remus might understand. It was a mushy dream. Lots of heartfelt talks and giggly kisses.

"Sorry, but Potions is a boring subject. Put me to sleep." He said, grinning sheepishly. She rolled her eyes, but didn't give him an annoyed look for dissing her favourite subject.

"Haha, Potter. Very funny. Grab your stuff and get going' we're going to miss dinner." She said without actually laughing. But she smiled!

James nodded and took off after her, completely forgetting his stuff.

When they reached the doors to the Great Hall, James stopped Lily by putting his hands on the doors and holing them shut.

"Listen, Lily. Thanks. I really appreciate you help with Potions. You didn't have to and, well, I'm surprised you did after…you know. I want to say sorry, too - for taking you up there. I never thought about how awkward it would be for you. I should have thought more about what you would want. I'm sorry." He said this with sincerity. There was nothing more in this world that he wanted than for her to believe him. She looked into his eyes, searching for the 'gotcha!', but it never came. She smiled up into his perfect, knee-melting hazel eyes.

"That's alright. Anyways, I liked it. It's your special place and you took me to it. For that, I am honoured." She made a little curtsey to lighten the serious mood. James laughed at her display of antics. He reached out a pushed a stray lock of hair off her face. It was such a sweet gesture that Lily stopped laughing at once to look at him curiously.

"Er, sorry. See you later, Lily." With that, he ran off in search of the Marauders.

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A/N: Hi! Another chapter! I'm getting good at updating fast! I hope I can get the next one up quickly.

Fudge-butter: Thanks! I was hoping someone would like that part. Hormonal wizard!

ReadingRobyn: I think I like how Lily messes with guys minds. Well, James', anyway. There is some mind messing in this chapter, but very brief. Hope you like!

Firelily28: Thank you! I'm glad you like it! I have the same issue with updating before I'm done the story. Don't worry 'bout it! I'm glad to see I'm on your Favourite Author and Author Alerts! firelily wouldn't have anything to do with Lily Evans, would it?

bazzonita: Tonks is at Hogwarts because I needed someone to be with Remus. It will get more into the whole Tonks/Remus thing in the sequel. I fixed the 'end of June thing' and the 'Friday Hogsmeade thing' for you. Didn't realize I had made those mistakes. Thanks for letting me know!

Keep reviewing! I love nothing better than a review! Even if it's flames! Nothing like constructive criticism!

-Bridgette

-From SiriusLover-DramaQueen