Disco lights were flashing.
Music was blaring.
Couples were making out in the corners.
And it had only been going for about 5 minutes. This was going to be a blast, James thought as he surveyed the already huge crowd dancing and talking in the Gryffindor common room, specially enlarged by Remus. He could see Remus and Peter standing talking to Lily, Mel, Kendra and Chloe and decided to go join them. The only reason he hadn't done so already was Sirius. He was hoping his ex-best friend would come to the party, have fun and make up with the Marauders and the girls. But so far he hadn't caught a glimpse of him. He walked over to where the others were standing and said hello. After exchanging a brief conversation he invited them into a game.
"It's called what, sorry James?" Kendra replied confusedly, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"There's three," James replied loudly, having to shout to be heard over Shut Up and Drive, Rihanna's latest hit playing on the sound system, "Truth or Dare, Spin the Bottle and Seventh Heaven."
Lily glared at him, "There is no way I'm playing the last one!"
"Aw, c'mon Evans, lighten up," James teased, "Live life on the edge a bit, ya know?"
Her glare softened as she gazed up at him mischievously, "Actually, James-"
"YOU CALLED ME JAMES!"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Get over it already. As I was saying, I think I will play, just to prove you lot wrong," Lily said mockingly, smirking at James.
"Shot Lils!" Melissa added, downing her Butterbeer happily, "I'm in, what about you guys?"
"Yep," Chloe said daringly, throwing back her blonde hair, "KJ?"
"I guess," Kendra replied hesitantly, not really sure what she was getting herself into.
"Then I'm in," said Remus instantly, then blushed as he realized how naff that had sounded, "Peter?" he asked, trying desperately to cover up his mistake.
"Sure."
"Alright," James said, who had given up all hope of Sirius joining in, "Let's get going guys!"
They sat in a circle apprehensively, not sure what they had gotten themselves in for.
"Truth or dare first guys!" James announced happily, "So, you all know how this works, right?"
There were mixed responses of "Yes," and "No," and so he proceeded to explain the rules. "So you have one reverse and one chicken. The reverse makes the darer or questioner have to do their dare or question, and the chicken makes the daree or questionee skip their dare or question. Alright, I'll start."
Lily snorted derisively, "Daree isn't a word, James."
"Whatever, Lilykins, you know you love me really. Okay Pete, truth or dare?"
"T-t-truth," Peter stuttered worriedly, obviously not wanting to be on the end of one of James' dares.
"Aw Petey you're no fun," James whined, but continued nonetheless, "What do you see in the Mirror of Erised?"
The Mirror of Erised was a mirror shown to them by Professor Sadler, their Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher of last year. It showed the person looking into it their hearts desire, so, naturally, James was interested to know what Peter saw in it.
Peter's response, however, he did not expect. Peter trembled and shook his head, "Chicken," he said.
James looked at him, stunned, before announcing to the group, "Oooh! Petey's got a girlfriend! C'mon mate, whatever, erm, interesting positions you two were in can't be that bad!"
"No-o," Peter replied, mainly addressing Chloe, "That's not it. Don't worry, it's just a bit personal."
James grumbled, but left it at that, "Alright, Pete. You know that means you don't get to ask someone, right?"
"'Kay."
"Okeydokey!" James said, smiling evilly, "Kendra."
"Dare," Kendra said, giving him a challenging look.
"Hmmm. Okay KJ, I dare you to kiss Remus on the mouth."
"What?!" Kendra and Remus exclaimed simultaneously, looking at each other worriedly.
"James, c'mon!" Remus protested loudly, "That can't be considered a dare!"
"Shut up and let her kiss you," James sang loudly, mimicking Rihanna's singing.
Kendra leant in and kissed Remus' lips softly, "Love you sweetheart," she murmured as she pulled back, caressing his warm body.
"Ahem," Mel and James said loudly, "Get a room guys!"
They blushed, but did not stop smiling.
"Remus," Kendra said.
"Yes KJ?"
"Truth or dare?"
"Oh. Right. Truth."
"How long have you liked me for?"
Remus blushed, but refused to chicken. He was saving his chicken because the girls did not know his secret, and he wasn't ready to tell them yet. "Must I?"
"Yes."
"Since fourth year."
"Aw!" Mel exclaimed, "That's so cute!"
"Shut. up," Remus said, blushing. "Right then, Mel."
"I'm feeling pretty daring tonight," Mel said, "So dare, I guess."
"Right then, missy, I dare you to eat a whole thing of wasabi in one go."
"Owch!" James said, feeling sorry for Mel already, "Burrrn babyyy!"
"What the hell is wasaki?"
"Wasabi," Remus replied, "Is a Japanese sauce to go on sushi, which is rice wrapped in seaweed. It is also very spicy."
"Very knowledgeable, Moony," James observed, transfiguring a 1 galleon coin into some wasabi, "Now eat up, Melissa!"
Mel ate the wasabi hesitantly, "Holy mother of- this burns!" She quickly rushed off to the bathroom to wash out her mouth.
They continued when she got back, "James, then."
"Truth."
"Chicken, cough cough," Remus muttered, earning a whack from James, "Only joking mate."
"Whooo do yuuuuu like?" Mel asked inquisitively.
"Lily," James said without missing a beat, his cheeks not even turning the slightest bit red. Lily blushed, "You know you don't mean that."
"It is called Truth or Dare, Lilykins," James replied, "So naturally, I would be telling the truth."
Lily was stunned. The James she knew would have yelled some choice words back at her before once again asking her out. She couldn't believe James had been mature enough to restrain his anger at her! Was it possible that James had grown up?
"Said lady," James said, interrupting her chain of thoughts.
"Uh-- wha-? Oh, um, truth?"
"Who is your sister and why do you hate her so much?"
Lily visibly squirmed under his inquisitive gaze, "Petunia, but I call her Tuney. Well I used to, but we're not really friends anymore. You see, she was jealous when I got my letter, and now she calls me a freak for having magical powers."
James' face was red with anger, "What?! She's the muggle!"
Lily smiled sadly, "Oh well. It's her choice anyway. Alright, well Chloe's the only one who hasn't had a turn, so…"
"Truth."
"Kay. I'm not going to ask who you like, 'cause it's obvious," Lily said smugly, winking at Chloe and Peter, "So, who's the first guy you ever kissed?"
"Peter," Chloe replied calmly.
"Alright," James interrupted, "Everyone's had a turn, so let's move on to the next game."
"Which is what?" Mel asked.
"Spin the Bottle."
"Does anyone actually have a bottle?" Lily asked sarcastically, looking around to see James grinning madly.
"I have a special Spin the Bottle bottle," he said happily, "It's charmed to land on the opposite gender as the spinner so that guys kiss girls and vice versa. Alright, we'll play until everyone's had a turn."
He spun first. Chloe.
"Sorry Pete," he said apologetically, and brushed his lips against Chloe's for a second, as timed by Remus' watch. Peter huffed irritatedly, "I don't like this game."
Chloe spun. Peter.
Peter turned red, and the couple's kiss lasted for over a second - but no one really minded.
"I like this game!" Peter announced joyfully. He spun and got Kendra. Directing an apologetic look at Remus, he kissed Kendra for a second.
She spun, looking hopefully at Remus. James.
"Damn," she sighed, irritated. "No offence or anything, James."
"S'ok," he replied and she leaned in and kissed him.
He spun and to his surprise, got Lily. He kissed her happily, but the kiss was over before it had really begun, he thought.
She spun and got Remus. Looking sadly at Kendra, she kissed him gently on the lips.
He spun, looking at Kendra as if willing the bottle to land on her. It worked. Their kiss lasted way longer than a second, and the others were forced to yell obscenities at the two to make them break off the kiss.
Kendra spun, and the bottle landed on what seemed to be thin air. They all looked at the spot confusedly, before a gradual smile dawned on James and Remus' faces.
"Padfoot," they said simultaneously, breaking into wide, identical grins.