A/N: Yes! Over hundred reviews! lol sorry but it's the first time this has happened and I'm kinda excited but it's obviously down to you reviewers who made it possible so THANKS! -gives everyone an extra large bar of chocolate- Here's the 5th chapter. :D

Chapter 5

About time, thought Lily as she surveyed them all grouped by the door of her bedroom.

James stepped forwards still holding the map in his hands and looking at her. Lily wondered what was on that piece of parchment and how they actually found out.

Sirius was still muttering something like "This is unbelievable…"

Remus was also shaking his head but then he said, "It has to be her… the map never lies."

"How the hell did you end up a cat?" said James, the first hints of a grin appearing on his face as he sat down on the bed next to her.

Lily gave him what she thought was the harshest glare as if to say 'how the heck am I supposed to answer that?' and 'who said I'm going to tell you?'

James just chuckled at her expression. "Damn… I should have known… those eyes… those looks you gave me. You were trying to tell me something after all!"

Lily mewed. Yeah but its not much help now is it? Get on with it! Turn me back!

James seemed to sense the urgency in her voice and still smiling; he took out his wand and raised it high above her head. Lily closed her eyes expectantly.

Finally! she thought, but nothing happened.

Confused, she opened her eyes and looked at James. He had lowered his wand and was holding it loosely in his hand and grinning at her.

Lily grimaced, Uh oh… I know that grin. Somehow she knew he wouldn't let her off so easily.

After exchanging a look with Sirius who grinned back at him, James began speaking.

"You know when I told you about you being the perfect Christmas present?"

Great, she thought darkly. Slowly, she nodded her head.

"Well I wasn't lying you know so how about… we make a deal. I turn you back into a cat and you go out with me."

Lily widened her eyes, angry. How dare he! How could she have been fooled by him earlier? This was the same James all along! He was forcing her to go out with him!

Well there was one thing Lily Evans hated and that was being forced into things.

Giving him one of her best deadliest glares, she jumped off the bed and headed out of the bedroom and down into the living room. Her mind was reeling. She knew that because of her pride she had threw away the chance of turning back to normal. However, somehow she knew James would not hold his deal; he would turn her back to a cat even if she didn't agree, wouldn't he?

"How stubborn can you get?"

Lily looked behind her and saw James descending the stairs. Remus, Peter and Sirius seemed to have stayed behind.

"You prefer to spend Christmas as a cat then go out with me?"

Lily was almost sure this was all talk; now he would relent and turn her back to normal while saying something witty as he usually did.

Instead he turned around and climbed the stairs again. "Well you better start getting used to it then, Lilykins."

She watched dumbfounded as he disappeared into his room. Then she looked at the fire.

An annoying voice in her head said, Now what? What are you going to do smart head?

From upstairs, she could hear the boys laughing and chattering as they continued to open their presents. She covered her ears with her paws to block out the sound. Her stomach grumbled hungrily.

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"Are you really gonna let her stay a cat?" said Remus, frowning.

James thought a moment and then said smiling, "Nah… I just want to tease her a little."

"You go," said Sirius grinning and clapping James on his back.

The boys were back in James' room munching on sweets on his bed and carpet surrounded by wrapping paper and presents, oblivious to the fact that a pair of green eyes was watching them intently from the crack at the door.

"You know she's gonna hate you more than ever for this," said Remus, popping a Bertie Botts Every Flavour Bean in his mouth.

"I don't think she can hate me more than she already does," said James, his face falling.

Lily felt a pang of guilt as she watched him.

"Why can't she ever accept me for who I am?" he continued, thinking aloud.

"Because she's a girl" said Sirius, obviously thinking he's very clever. "and girls always want something more…"

Lily couldn't take it anymore. She was itching, hungry and she wanted to open her presents.

Screw it, she thought as she hurried into the room.

She mewed and they looked at her. She looked directly at James and motioned with her head for him to come outside the room. He seemed to understand and stood up, looking at her curiously. He followed her outside and closed the door. The he turned around to face her.

"What?" he said. "Changed your mind?"

She nodded grudgingly and his face split into an enormous grin.

"Does that mean you're going out with me, Evans?" he said, ecstatically.

Impatiently she nodded again. Get on with it!

He smiled satisfied, got out his wand and performed the counter-spell easily in one smooth motion. Immediately, Lily felt herself growing, the fur disappearing, her body stretching. However, just before the transformation was complete, she suddenly remembered something and panic-stricken she rushed into her room, her face glowing red. She was naked.

James Potter sauntered back in his room with a plastered goofy grin on his face.

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Once Lily had taken a shower, a lengthy one, dressed up, opened her presents and mastered the courage to go out of the room and face James, she went with him to visit the Headmaster at his office. Reluctantly, she recounted everything that had happened and what Snape had done. Dumbledore merely smiled and nodded but James could hardly contain himself. He was the mischievous prankster boy again and Lily wanted to smack him around the head. Dumbledore assured them that he would take measures to ensure that Snape pay for his deeds and he bid them goodbye to enjoy the Christmas feast, which was going to start soon.

James continued to grin stupidly as they got out of the Head's office and made their way towards the Great Hall. As she looked at him, Lily wanted to slap herself for accepting to go out with him but she had no choice. At least now she was back to normal and she was grateful that he had taken care of her in those last two days. Taking a deep breath, she decided she'd have to wade it out and see how it went.

James looked at her and spoke for the first time. "So how about tomorrow at ten?"

Lily looked at him, startled. "What?" Then she remembered the deal, and adjusted her face. "So soon!" For some reason, she felt nervous.

"Why? Were you busy tomorrow?" replied James, raising his eyebrow.

"N-no," she said, looking in front of her. "Tomorrow is fine."

"Good" said James, smiling.

Apart from the fact that they passed Mrs. Norris limping heavily on a bandaged leg, staring oddly at Lily, they reached the Great Hall uneventfully and in silence. They made their way towards the Gryffindor table where the rest of the Marauders were, staring expectantly at the golden plates in front of them. The smell of cooking was almost unbearable. Lily's stomach grumbled again. She blushed a little as the boys laughed at the sound. Sirius looked at her with a mixed expression.

"You owe me a dinner, Evans" he said cockily, after a while.

"I owe you nothing" said Lily promptly. "The food was there for the taking."

James laughed appreciatively but then silenced himself at a warning look from Sirius. Just then Dumbledore entered the Great Hall followed sullenly by a furious Snape, who gave the Gryffindor lot a dark look. James and Sirius returned the look with grandeur while Lily chose to turn his back to him.

Dumbledore took his place at the high table and simply said. "Let the feast begin."

Immediately all kinds of delicious sweet-smelling mouth-watering food appeared on the table. The students gratefully dug in. Lily who just then realized how actually hungry she was, took double helpings of everything.

James looked at her amused, thinking of what was to come. Things were looking good.

On the other side of the table, a clumsy Slytherin student tipped the contents of his plate on the person sitting next to him, which happened to be Snape.

James' face split in a wide grin yet again.

Yep, very good indeed, he thought happily.

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Sorry for not updating sooner but I was busy, I had writer's block and I wasn't really feeling too well. However, now I'm back so you should….. REVIEW! lol