Chapter Eighteen: "I guess so."

The next day was a Saturday, so it was time for a serious clear out of my junk. But first, we needed breakfast. As it was a weekend, we didn't need to wear wizard robes, so I dressed according to my mood. I felt happy, so I donned a lemon yellow t-shirt with displayed the message: 'So many guys, too little time.' On my bottom half, I threw on a pair of casual jeans and my white trainers.

Belle, however, seemed to be in a teasing mood. Her black knee-high boots met a tartan miniskirt and a red long-sleeved top with a pressed white collar. (A/N: Think Liz Hurley in 'Bedazzled'.)

Cass pulled on a pair of grey pants and her trainers, with a white shirt on top. She was slightly groggy, but still on-the-ball, as you might say.

Arriving in the Great Hall, all eyes swivelled to us. The Marauders waved us over, except Potter. We headed over and I sat as far away from James as was humanely possible. His eyes burned into my back as I turned to grin at Sirius and listen to the feeble joke he was telling. We all roared with laughter, not at the joke, but because at that exact moment, Sirius chose to fall backwards off the bench.

"Say, Miss Figg, you look ravishing this morning, I must say." He grinned devilishly at Belle, who smirked in response.

"Flattery gets you nowhere, Mr Black." She replied, haughtily tilting her nose into the air.

"It usually gets me everywhere with the Hufflepuffs." He said, his index finger on his chin in a thoughtful way.

"Exactly. With Hufflepuffs. I'm a Gryffindor, and proud of it!" She put emphasis on 'With Hufflepuffs' in an effort to make herself understood.

Sirius, however, missed her point.

Potter turned to Remus and said confidently; "I think Melinda wants me back."

"I think Melinda's a whore." Cassie snapped back, entering their conversation abruptly.

"I didn't ask you." James replied pointedly.

"No one ever does." Cass glared at him, before rising and kissing Remus' cheek softly. "See you later. We have to help Lil win back some of her self-esteem."

I stifled a giggle as Remus turned pink. "Belle, you coming?"

"I'm there." She said, standing and casting James a death-glare.

"Goodbye, Sirius, Remus, Potter." I spat the last word and sauntered out of the Hall, wiggling my hips.

"Ditto." I heard Cass and Bella say, before sprinting after me and grabbing my hands. They whirled me around and we fell giggling to the floor. Everyone's eyes were upon us, but Cassie took it all in her stride as she rose to her feet and swept into a deep bow.

"Thank you, thank you. We're here till Thursday. Try the steak!" Her grin was wide and friendly as the Hall erupted into applause.

Then we swept out of the Hall and back to the common room.

"That was inspired!" I smiled warmly.

"Lily Evans?" A voice whispered from the shadows.

"Who wants to know?" I shot back.

The thin girl who had been with Potter that day stepped into the light. "I just wanted to give you this." She reeled back and punched my jaw hard.

I stumbled back and stared at her.

The Portrait hole opened and the Marauders filed in. Sirius' eyes swept over me, holding the left side of my face, to Melinda, poised to punch me again. He had it figured out in seconds.

"OH NO YOU DON'T!" He roared as she almost struck. He leapt over furniture and held her around the waist, pinning her arms to her sides.

Remus hurtled over and hugged me close, whilst subtly moving me away from my foe.

"You don't need to hold me Remus. I'm not gonna hurt her, just pity her. Pity her for stepping into a relationship with Potter. She'll realise she's made a huge mistake." A smirk curled the corners of my mouth. "After all, he is rarely faithful."

My head was held high as Cassie, Bella and I trouped up the stairs.

Only Melinda's high-pitched shriek could be heard as a reminder.

"Right, let's get down to business. Lily, empty your wardrobe." Belle ordered, whilst she and Cass sat on my bed, faces expectant.

I pulled out various garments till Cassie gasped. My long black leather coat was her cause for concern.

"What?" I asked defensively.

"That… THING lacks shape and will swamp your petite frame.  Chuck it." Her voice had an obeying quality to it.

~~**~~

After around 4 hours, we had finally sorted out my possessions. There were at least 6 bags of discarded clothes, ready for me to perform a disappearing charm on them.

Even my make-up hadn't escaped my friends' beady eyes.

"Are we finished now?" I whined.

"Yep. You're a completely new person now Lil. Get used to it honey." They both grinned at me.

"I guess so." I sighed.

~~~***~~~

That chap was abit crap but what can ya do?

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