Disclaimer: Pfff. As if I own anything here.

So far: Mary and Sirius got together, much to the dismay of Tally, who's been harboring an old crush on Sirius. After Mary breaks up with Sirius for the sake of their friendship, Tally and she have a fight. Sirius and Lily became close friends, and James decided that he would start leaving Lily alone. Marlene needs a change. Mulciber and Severus received a mysterious letter.

A/N: In the Harry Potter novels themselves it is mentioned that Mary was attacked by Mulciber, sometime before the Lake Incident, most likely. As this is vital for this chapter, I will also add that I assume it happened during fifth year, and near the end of it too, or some parts of this chapter don't really work as well.

Chapter 8

Or

Of a Party and Change

(Part 1: How It Came To Be)

"We've only been here for four weeks and I'm already bored out of my mind," said Sirius. "Let's prank someone."

"I don't feel like it," said James.

They were sitting near the lake, relaxing as the sun washed over them in the warmth of a Saturday morning.

"Besides, last week was the full moon," said Peter. "I'm not even fully recovered from that yet."

"Let's throw a party," said Remus.

They all looked at him in shock. "Padfoot, check my pulse," said James. "I think I just died of shock."

"I think Peter should check both of our pulses, actually," replied Sirius. "Remus, did you just suggest that we throw a party?"

Remus shrugged.

"Okay then," said James. "I guess we're throwing a party."

(Part 2: James Can't Help Being a Hero)

She wasn't used to walking alone yet. She didn't want to walk alone.

Last year, after the incident, she never, ever, walked alone. Once – once she did. It was absolutely terrifying. She thought every person she saw was going to attack her. And she had good reason to. There was no reason for Mulciber to attack her last year in the first place.

Besides the fact that she was Muggle born.

Mary clutched her books tighter to her chest, and hurried her pace. For some reason, the hallways were unusually empty. If there were people around, she could forget herself, somehow. Being alone always brought the possibility of remembering, and she didn't want to remember. She didn't want to relive being so helpless and alone.

She turned a corner, and sighed with relief when she saw someone familiar. "Marlene!" she yelled, waving at her gratefully. Marlene turned around, and her look of confusion only got more pronounced when she saw it was Mary who had called her name. She halted, waiting for Mary to catch up with her. "Mary," she said as a way of greeting.

"Mind if I walk with you?" said Mary, breathless. "You have Herbology now too, right?"

"Yeah, sure," shrugged Marlene, admittedly confused, but still good naturedly.

She turned around and resumed her slow pace, passing very few other students when they took a left, and then a right, and then another right.

"Shouldn't we have taken a left?" asked Mary, looking passed her shoulder. Perhaps this wasn't the best way.

"I know a shortcut," reassured her Marlene. But about three minutes later, they hit a wall. "This wall wasn't here yesterday," observed Marlene.

"No, it wasn't," said a sinister voice behind them.

Marlene turned at once, but Mary, for a moment, stayed fixated on the wall.

This was everything she feared would happen. She knew it – Tally had been her protective shield for so long, she should have known the moment there was no Tally, something would happen.

Mulciber, and a vicious-looking fifth year Slytherin, were standing behind then.

"Mulciber," hissed Marlene, and when Mary finally turned around, she realized Marlene had already taken out her wand. This situation was only getting worse and worse.

"No magic in the hallways, McKinnon," sneered Mulciber, his wand out as well. Within a moment the fifth year's wand was in the open too.

She shrugged. "Yeah, you too. Maybe we'll just both keep it on the hush hush when I curse you to oblivion."

"Maybe you won't be around after I finish with you to tell on anybody," he said.

Mary took a step backwards – into the fake wall behind her. Oh no, she said. Trapped. Her mind repeated that one word like a mantra: Trapped. Trapped. Trapped.

She was so afraid. So afraid.

And then James Potter's voice came from, seemingly, nowhere. "Mulciber," he started. "I know for a fact that you're missing Transfiguration right now. In fact, all of the first years are about halfway through their class already."

Mulciber and the fifth year turned around, and the wall behind Mary flickered for a moment. "We can take you, Potter," spat the fifth year.

"It's three against two, Mulciber, but I alone am worth more than the two of you, anyway," said James. "I think you might as well just run along."

Mulciber looked around, and apparently came to his sense. "Fine," he said. "Let's go."

The wall disappeared the moment the Slytherins did.

"Are you two alright?" asked James, a concerned look in his eyes.

Mary nodded meekly, but Marlene said defiantly, "What do you think you were doing?"

"Uh," said James.

"We don't need a hero to save us, thank you very much," she said. "I was dealing with it – and I was just as able as you are – and Mary, oh my God, I totally forgot, are you okay?"

It had occurred to Marlene that Mary might not be okay, but James had already gone over to her by the time Mary collapsed, balling her eyes out. "Shh, it's okay," he murmured. "C'mon, we'll go to the infirmary, get you a sleeping potion – I'll talk to McGonagall later. C'mon." He helped her up and started walking with her in the direction of the infirmary.

"Not very Gryffindor of me, huh?" she mumbled.

"Are you kidding?" asked James, just as Marlene caught up with them. "In your situation, I would've broken down about the second I saw Mulciber."

And even though he was blatantly and obviously lying, Marlene very much appreciated James at that particular moment.

(Part 3: A Drunken Kiss)

There was so much alcohol.

Marlene was not unaccustomed to alcohol. The occasional party here and there, and the few times Lily, Dorcas and she had raided Dorcas' dad's liquor cabinet and got drunk, had made sure of that. But never had Marlene seen quite so much alcohol before.

"Hey, are you okay?" said a voice beside her. Marlene looked up, startled by the unexpected question. It was Mary, beautiful Mary, and she was holding hands with a boy much shorter than her, which she was pretty sure was a Hufflepuff. She wondered vaguely where Sirius was. She wondered if Mary was okay, with the whole Tally deal. She wondered if she was okay, after what happened yesterday.

"I'm fine," Marlene assured her, not asking for the Hufflepuff's name. "I'm just feeling a little sick. I think I'm going up early."

"Okay," Mary said, shrugging. "If you're sure."

Marlene started making her way through the dense crowd – not all of these were Gryffindor, they couldn't be, right? – and was halfway to the stairs when someone reached from her left and grabbed her wrist.

"Where are you going?" the voice whispered in her ear, smelling of alcohol and aftershave.

She shivered and looked at him. "James!" she gasped.

"Marlene," he said, his grin too wide.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Where are you going?" he countered.

She smiled too. Perhaps the Firewhiskey she had already consumed had gotten to her head, or perhaps James' smile was too wild and intoxicating. "To get a drink," she said, changing her mind as she spoke.

Perhaps staying down here wouldn't be too bad.

It was about an hour later when she realized she was drunk.

"I – I – I am so pissed," she laughed. For some reason, the idea was ridiculous to her, or at least, ridiculously hilarious.

"Yes you are," laughed James. "And so am I."

They were sitting at the top of the stairs, near the empty seventh years' boys dormitory. James had nicked a bottle of Firewhiskey – never matter that it was his bottle, technically – and they'd been passing it back and forth for the past thirty minutes. It was cold, and Marlene found herself shivering, but every gulp of Firewhiskey spread more warmth in her, so she didn't say anything. James noticed anyway, observant despite his near-drunkenness.

"Are you cold?" he asked, slightly slurring. He wasn't wearing a coat – but they were a floor above his dormitory, and he could easily go to his room –

Oh, his room. Marlene was definitely drunk, as the mere thought made her think…

"Mar-lene," he said. He pronounced it funny, as if there were three syllables, not two. "Are you… Are you…" he frowned. "I don't remember what I was saying."

What she was about to do was a terrible idea. One of her best friends hated him, and she was drunk, and she was lonely, and she was going to regret it in the morning. And despite all of this she knew she didn't care. Because he was funny, and generous, and fucking fit, and even if Lily couldn't see it, he really could be very kind, even if sometimes he made stupid mistakes like saving girls who didn't need to be saved. And he wasn't as much of a git as he was, say, last year – he was changing, becoming a better person.

Marlene McKinnon kissed James Potter, and after a second, he kissed her back.

(Part 4: Sirius Black is… Well, Sirius Black)

Lily must have heard at least thirteen versions by the time she reached first period Monday morning (double Potions). But there was one common thread strung through every single one of them:

Marlene McKinnon and James Potter. Together.

Neither of them were at breakfast, and that only made the whole thing seem more plausible.

Her mind whirled around the entire time she prepared the Alihotsy Draught. She mixed in the wrong direction, added the ingredients at the wrong time, and halfway through had to vanish the potion and do it again, though slightly rushed. The whole time, she found herself sneaking looks at James Potter, who was not looking at her, thank God, and was focused on his potion, which was green instead of blue. Remus went over and started helping him, and just then Sirius raised his gaze – and saw her staring at James. His eyes flicked back and forth between the two, and a wicked grin appeared on his face. She blushed and focused on her potion, which was almost done. The blue fumes weren't quite in the right shade when she handed it in, but she figured that she was always okay when it came to Slughorn.

She rushed out of class, glad that she had a free period now. She set her pace towards the library, where there would be, hopefully, peace and quiet.

"Lily!" called the voice of Sirius behind her.

She slowed down slightly, but was still walking rather quickly when he caught up with her.

"Hi, Sirius."

"Heya, Lily," said Sirius. "Say, was that you – did I catch you staring at my best mate James Potter, today?"

She hastened her pace. "Nope."

He grinned and matched her speed. "You're a terrible liar."

She blushed. "Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Are t-"

"Okay!" she said, stopping dead in place. "Fine, yes, I was staring at Potter. I was wondering whether he and Marlene, one of my best friends who neglected to say anything to me, were in fact making out last night, and I'm very confused at the moment about this whole thing, really. So – "

"You're ranting, Lily," said Sirius quietly. "If it means anything, I was sure James still fancied you."

Lily opened her mouth to respond – probably to say that James hadn't fancied her since the beginning of the year at least, and to say that really, he hadn't asked her out since last year, how could he not tell, and then to start ranting again – but then Severus appeared.

"Lily, can I talk to you for a moment?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

Lily scoffed. "Yeah, sure." She didn't move a muscle.

"Alone," he said. "Please."

"Sirius can hear anything you have to say to me," she said coldly.

"Lily," he said, his voice still low. "I knew that you and Black here were friends – " he didn't seem particularly happy for her – "but I was unaware that you now fancied Potter. Is it because he finally gave up on you – "

"I don't fancy Potter," she said. "Not that I see how it's any of your business," she added. "Unless we were friends again without my knowledge? I don't think we were, actually. So maybe you should go."

"Well, I was just worried – Potter's a jerk, you know that – and – "

"Oi, Snivellus," said Sirius. "The bird said that you should go."

"Stay out of this, Black, it's none of your business – "

"As you're talking to my friend about my best friend, I think that it's all of my business – "

"As if you care about anyone – "

"That's it –"

And suddenly wands were out, for the second time in three days.

"Sirius," said Lily. "Please don't."

"Lily," mocked Severus. "He's a jerk, you know that – did you forget already – "

"I wasn't talking to you," said Lily sharply. "You see, I don't think you can see reason. Meanwhile, Sirius – "

"Sirius? What's going on here?" said the voice of James Potter.

And suddenly, James Potter interfered, once again for the second time in three days.

"Snivellus," said Sirius, feeling no need to explain further.

"Oh," said James.

This is it, Lily thought. He's going to go back to being the jackass he's been for the past five years, probably the first fifteen years of his life. He's going to take the opportunity and -

But he didn't.

"C'mon, mate," he said instead. "Snivelly isn't worth it. Let's go get some food or something, yeah?" He reached to Sirius' wand and lowered it slowly.

"Yeah, okay," said Sirius, looking slightly distraught. "Lily, you coming?"

"Yeah, okay," she said, deadpanned and shocked.

And they left Snape behind them.

"You're an idiot," said James on the way to the tower.

"I am," said Sirius. "But so are you."

And they both looked at Lily, walking one step behind them, and smiled. She smiled back, somewhat hesitantly at James.

"I am," agreed James. "I am such an idiot."

(Part 5: Lily's Realization)

When Lily came into the dorm, much, much later in the day, Dorcas and Marlene were waiting for her. She sighed, but before she could say anything, Marlene started talking, popping a toffee into her mouth and chewing. That's something she only did when she was nervous, so Lily took it as a bad sign. Dorcas was reading a book, or at least, pretending to.

"Listen, I know that you hate him – but I like him a lot, and it's like, I didn't even realize I've liked him all this time until the moment I kissed him, anyway, so there was no way for me to be able to tell you. I don't think I even liked him until that moment. And I wanted to tell you last night, but - but you think James is a prat, so I didn't know how you'd react."

"Truth is…" she sighed. "I don't think he's a prat."

Marlene nearly choked on her toffee and Dorcas actually set down her book. "What?" Dorcas asked bluntly.

"I don't think he's a self-involved prat anymore." She hesitated for a second, as Marlene looked like she was about to faint. "Marlene, are you okay?"

Marlene blinked, and seemed to be regaining consciousness.

"I can't believe it. For the past five years you're complained, and ranted, and shouted at the poor boy. I just – what the hell happened?" asked Dorcas.

Once again, Lily stopped to consider her next few words. "I think it started with Melody, actually," she informed them.

"Melody?" Dorcas asked, looking confused. "What?" Marlene nodded in approval of Dorcas' question, adding another, no less important, "What?"

"Yeah, when it disappeared last year – I didn't really, uh, find her in my luggage. I – well, on the train, when we were going home, Potter – James – gave her to me. He apparently found it and that's why he wanted to talk to me. He didn't even try to ask me out – and I freaked, I don't know, and I insulted him, but the past month he's been great – he hasn't asked me out once this year - and him taking in Sirius last summer, and I've actually seen him break up a fight with Snape and I just don't know how to react, really." Lily took a deep breath. "So, yeah, I don't hate him. I don't think we'll ever get along – but, I mean, he's an okay bloke. Decent. I probably won't be shouting at him as much as I used to." She mumbled the last part. "And if you want to date him…" she added after a thought, "I wouldn't hold it against you. I mean – I had a sort of okay time with him today, so I guess I can understand how somebody could like him. So – that's that."

"Oh," said Marlene and Dorcas together.

(Part 6: Sometimes He Daydreams)

Severus Snape wished he wasn't himself, sometimes. It would certainly make his life much easier.

He wanted not to be in love.

But that was such an important part of him. Such a defining characteristic, he wouldn't be himself otherwise, really.

Who would he be without the Dark Arts? Who would he be without Lily?

Somebody else.

But he was unwilling to give up either, and so he stayed in love, and so he stayed himself.

At least for a while longer.

A/N: I really hope you didn't see that coming. I've been secretly building up to it for a while, but that kiss was supposed to be a big shocker. So - was it?

I couldn't really write as much as I wanted to this week, mainly because I've been sleeping a lot and I got sick, but also because - you guessed it - TECHNICAL ISSUES! However, I am proud to say that I am making progress. I know where I'm heading and I know how I want to get there, I just haven't drawn the map yet.

SiryII: Original Characters are like, my least favorite thing, but I needed Tally for some balance and plotlines, and she'll eventually become a really interesting character - hopefully - I just haven't gotten there yet.
A yes, my evil intentions - how did you like the party? I'll get to why Remus wanted to throw that party next chapter, but I hope you liked what I did there...

Sadly, my finals aren't over until the 23rd, which is 3 days after I finish school. I know. School here is weird.

Anybody else screaming over TFioS? Sadly, it's not going to show here until the 26, but a group of friends of mine are renting a place to go see it together once it comes out and I just can't wait! Hope you're all enjoying/planning to enjoy your summer holidays (if yours start in July too)...

Reviews make me post chapters quicker. No, seriously, they do. And share, please!