"How's that talk going, Prongs?"

"I would think the answer to that question was rather obvious, Sirius," Remus said with a smirk.

James grinned and looked at Lily to see how she was taking being caught snogging on a lounger. She seemed to be taking it surprisingly well considering the circumstances. Her tough demeanor was back and she was grinning impishly up at the Marauders. James looked over to his friends again and saw Peter looking relieved that Lily wasn't going to kick the crap out of him. Remus was still smirking but Sirius had started to frown.

James grinned even wider and said, "A bit jealous are we, Padfoot? Think you're going to be replaced?"

"What!? No! Of course not!! Evans wouldn't stand a chance at replacing ME! There are none in all of Hogwarts that could rival me!!" He said with mock pride in his voice.

"Rival you at what, Sirius?" Remus asked, obviously trying to out wit him. And a banging good job he seemed to be doing as well.

"Well, you know, at umm… at…" Sirius began.

"Why at getting put down by you of course. Sheesh, Moony, and I thought you were intelligent," James said with a look of utter superiority.

They both began laughing at the sheer disappointment etched on Sirius's face. Even Peter let out a stray chuckle.

"Don't worry Padfoot, you're right, no one can replace you," James said.

"Ha! What did I tell you Moony!! See I told you no one could!!" Sirius yelled.

"Of course you did," Remus said sarcastically. "Now come on Sirius, let's leave these two to their talk shall we?"

"Ay, since it seems their discussing rather important matters indeed, Moony. Farewell Prongs, Evans, enjoy your talk," and with a wink he strolled off to the other side of the pool with Remus. James was about to start where he left off when he realized Peter had not left with Sirius and Remus.

"Um… er… best wishes to you two, er… going out and all. James always talks about how he, er… wanted a umm… girlfriend… and well…" Peter muttered while looking at the ground.

"Yeah yeah, thanks Wormtail. You should go and catch up with Moony and Padfoot. They're probably planning to throw you in the pool you know." James said quickly.

Peter's eyes widened and with speed James didn't know he had, shot across to where Remus and Sirius were sitting talking about something. James shook his head and turned back to Lily.

"Now, where were we?" he asked.

Lily just raised her eyebrow at him.

"What's this about me being your 'girlfriend'?" she asked him.

"Well, umm… aren't you?" he said cautiously.

"You haven't even asked me out yet! How could I possibly be your girlfriend!?" She said a smile slowly creeping across her face.

James sighed and grinned. He quickly got of the lounger and bent down on one knee.

He offered his hand to Lily and said, "Lily Evans, will you be my girlfriend?"

Lily laughed at seeing James down on one knee, but she took his hand.

"James Potter, I would love to," she said.

James grinned from ear to ear. He stood up and pulled her to her feet. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her tenderly. When they came up for air, he looked at her and said, "Good."

And with that, she smiled and went to kiss him again. They were jerked back into reality a few moments later when they heard a scream and splash that could only mean James's prediction had come true.

On the other side of the pool, Sirius was laughing hysterically and holding onto Remus for support. Remus was laughing and holding onto a nearby chair so he didn't collapse under Sirius's weight. Peter had resurfaced by now and was thrashing and kicking like mad.

"HELP!! JAMES!! I CAN'T…" but he was cut off as he bobbed underwater again. "…SWIM!! HELP!!" He yelled.

James was laughing, but Lily was looking worried.

"Don't you think we should help him?" She asked James.

James looked at her, still grinning. "He's in the shallow end. It's only 3 feet deep."

He turned back to the screaming Peter and called, "Oi! Wormtail! STAND UP!!"

At hearing this, Sirius had started laughing even harder, and Remus, not up to holding that much weight, lost hold of the chair. The two collapsed into a hysterical heap on the cement. Peter, who had realized by now, he could in fact stand up, was blushing bright red and making his way to the steps.

James turned to Lily who was now chuckling as well.

"Welcome to the Marauders milady," he said and did a sweeping bow to Lily. "You're in for the ride of your life."