The bags were loaded onto the trolleys once more as James, Sirius, and Demi made their way through the platforms at King's Cross. Mr and Mrs Potter were out on another one of their wonderful Auror missions.

"HEY GUYS" shouted a voice. The three turned around to see Frank and Remus walking towards them. They ignored the other people giving them dirty looks and navigated their way to their two friends. Demi gave both boys hugs, while James and Sirius nodded their heads. "How was your break?" Remus asked, as they continued walking.

"Good, how was yours?" asked Sirius.

"Pretty boring. Although that Zonko's bag you guys got me was pretty entertaining for the last half of the holidays so thanks for that," said Frank.

"Yeah, we customized everyone's Zonko bag to their particular needs," explained James. "How was your winter Remus?"

"Eh, it was alright," said Remus. James and Sirius nodded, the full moon had occurred less than a week ago and Remus along with looking slightly peaky, had added some new scars to his colletion. Demi, who was still unaware of Remus' condition continued the conversation by asking how his mother was feeling. "Oh, she's getting a bit better. It's a slow process."

"She's been ill for a while now, are you sure that it isn't anything too serious?" she asked, with concern.

"Are you saying I make people ill?" asked Sirius, overdramatically as Demi whacked him over his head.

"You and your stupid name" she replied, turning back to Remus.

"Yeah, the doctors think it might take a while, but it's fine" he replied, trying to change the subject, "so, how did you manage to make it through the break with these two?" he asked, gesturing to James and Sirius.

"Well, it wasn't too bad. Except for the part where Sirius tried to kiss me under the mistletoe. That's when me and Tingle took it all down."

"Tingle?" asked Frank, while laughing at Sirius' actions.

"The house elf" she replied. "He's so sweet. I got him a little belt for all his house cleaning stuff. He's getting a little old and you can see the way he gets tired from making too many trips down to the kitchen to grab his cleaning supplies. I used an undetectable extension charm on it. He practically began crying with happiness."

"That's different," said Frank. "Wizards don't normally give their house elves gifts."

"Well, I think house elves are just as important as wizards and witches, they deserve respect and humane treatment" she replied. They rounded the corner and looked at the brick wall between platforms 9 and 10. "Let's go." One by one they walked through the barrier calmly. In the blink of an eye, the regular King's Cross platform had vanished, and was replaced by the Hogwarts Express platform.

"The only house elf that doesn't deserve that is Kreacher, he's a menace" said Sirius as they began loading their trunks and owls onto the train.

"Wait, you've a house elf?" asked Frank and Remus.

"Well, yeah. Almost all the old wizarding families have one. My family is home to the most demented of the lot. Last summer, Kreacher tried going through my trunk on my mums orders."

"And yet you still live with them?" they all asked.

"Well it's not like I want to, I'd rather be homeless," Sirius replied.

"Aww, poor Sirikins" said a voice from behind him.

The five students turned around and saw Kiaria and Alice standing there. "How was your winter?" Remus asked.

"Polite as ever Mr. Lupin," said Kiaria, bowing theatrically, "I spent my entire holidays doing homework, eating loads of Christmas food, and I went on a date" she said, ending the sentence with a squeal.

"Oh, who was it?" asked Demi and Lily, who had just popped out of nowhere.

"Hey Evans," said James, ruffling his hair a little.

"Hi" she said dully. Turning back to Kiaria she asked, " Who was it?"

"Remember that guy that I told you about?" she said.

"With the hair?" said Lily.

"And the eyes" replied Demi.

"And the amazing-?" asked Alice.

"Yes, him!" she squeaked.

"Aww" the three girls cooed, while the guys stood there and watched with amused looks on their faces.

"Did you understand any of that?" asked Sirius.

"Nope" the three boys replied.

"Hey guys" said a timid voice. The guys moved aside and made room for Peter.

"Hey Pete, how were your holidays?" they all asked.

"Boring, just the usual hanging around at home and stuff" said Peter.

"So Alice, how was yours?" asked Frank, looking very interested.

"Oh, I saw Molly and Arthur's baby. He's so cute. They named him William, Bill for short," she said. "And he's got this little mop of red hair, and he's pretty tall for a baby."

"Can he walk or talk yet?" the girls asked.

"He can walk, and he's nearly there with the talking," she said.

Suddenly they all jumped as a loud whistle rang out. The group quickly clambered onto the train and sat in the first empty compartment they could find. Just then Severus opened up the compartment door, "Hey Lils" he said.

"Oh, hello Sev, I was looking for you," She stood up and left with Severus, obviously not wanting to spend any time with James or Sirius.

"Bye Evans" called James as the door shut. There was no response and James looked around the compartment. "She probably didn't hear me" he said.

"Yeah, that's what happened" said Sirius, as Demi laughed.

"Anyone up for a round of Exploding Snap?' asked Peter, pulling out a deck from his pocket.

"Sure they all replied" and he began dealing them.

"Thanks for the bag you lot" said Peter.

"Yeah, thanks a lot," they all said to James, Sirius, and Demi.

"Anytime. Although I feel bad for the prefects, teachers and head girl and boy now" said Demi. "Oh and Severus."

"Why?" asked James and Sirius, shocked that Demi felt bad for someone.

"Well, look at all the pranks we can pull now. No one will be spared" she said, picking up her cards.

"Love, you make it sound like we're waging war on those people. Well, we are on Snivellus anyway" Sirius replied.

"Well, maybe we ought to give them a week before we go crazy on 'em" said James.

"It's not a bad idea" said Remus. "We might be able to catch them off guard, but we gave them a week to relax."

"Remus, I've never felt closer to you" said Sirius, giving him a hug.

"Ouch, get off of me Sirius" Remus replied, trying to pry Sirius off of his left side. "Go hug someone else."

"Fine" Sirius said, letting go of him and hugging Demi instead.

"Thanks Remus" they heard her muffled voice say.

"I'm starting to regret my decision" Remus said, eyeing the pair.

"SIRIUS BLACK!" screamed a high pitched voice.

"Aw, great" said Sirius, letting go of Demi. "Hey Cheryl" he said, grimacing.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you sitting with me? You're my boyfriend. We have to do everything together. That's what relationships are," Cheryl yelled, as everyone in the compartment stopped talking.

"Cheryl, relax" said Demi.

"Shut up. I know what you're trying to do. You're trying to take him away from me. Everyone told me you two had some sort of weird relationship. I don't get it are you dating or not?"

"I can assure you, I am not dating Sirius" said Demi.

"Then why are you always together huh? Can't you see he's mine, you stupid b-" she seethed.

"Hold on there," said Demi, standing up. The others, except Sirius backed away from her. "We're together because we're friends, and he happens to be my brother's best mate. I can, as a matter of fact, see that you tow are dating. And I am not a stupid b****."

"Don't talk to me like that" Cheryl snarled, whipping out her wand, but she was too slow. Demi saw what she was doing and sent a Stinging jinx at Cheryl's arm. Her robe got cut and they saw a small red mark on her forearm.

"I'm dying" Cheryl screeched.

"Good, now I can tell you what's really up," said Sirius, getting up and standing beside Demi. "I am breaking up with you, you are the b****, and I am not a piece of meat that you can claim. And even if I was, I'd rather be eaten by the Giant Squid than let you come within three feet of me. Got it?" he said.

Cheryl slammed the door shut and walked away.

"I'm sorry about-" said Sirius, looking at Demi.

"I can't believe you were going out with her? She's a prick! I thought you had better judgment than that. Idiot" she said sitting back down.

"Jesus, will you stop getting mad at me?" Sirius said, trying to calm her down.

"I'm always mad at you" she replied sardonically.

In the other compartment . . .

"So, did you do anything special on Christmas day?" asked Lily.

"Nah, me and mum had brought some food a while before and, well, we tried to cook it. Didn't really work out though. Oh, but I got you a gift for Christmas," said Severus, as he pulled out a badly-wrapped package from his pocket.

"Oh Sev, you didn't have to," said Lily, as he placed the box in her lap.

"Open it," he said.

Lily tore off the brown parcel paper and saw a beautiful black box. She took of the lid and saw a beautiful framed drawing of her and Severus. "Oh, it's beautiful" she said, tearing up.

"Merry Christmas" he said.

"Thanks Sev, you didn't need to get me something. The fact that I have a friend at Hogwarts is good enough" she smiled. "Well, seeing as you've given me my gift, I got you something as well."

Lily opened up her small bag and pulled out a flat thin package, almost the size of a piece of parchment, "Merry Chirstmas" she said.

Severus opened up the lid and saw the most beautiful potion making kit he'd ever seen. Along the side was his name stamped in silver. The box was tinted a dark green, to match the Slytherin colours. "I don't know what to say, thank you wouldn't suffice."

A week later . . .

"Is it ready?" asked James.

"Well obviously it is, otherwise I wouldn't have told you it was" said Demi, frustrated.

"This is going to require a lot of attention and magic" said Remus, looking at the piece of parchment outlining the plan Demi and Sirius had made over lunch yesterday.

"I know, but it's perfect" said Sirius. "Those little snakes won't even see it coming"

"When should we do it?" asked Peter, taking the parchment Remus had passed him.

"Maybe on Friday, that's when they'll be most relaxed. And when has anything ever gone badly on a Friday?" said Sirius.

"Well, this Friday is going to be Friday the Thirteenth, so I guess it'll keep 'em a bit on edge" said Demi.

"What's wrong with Friday being on the thirteenth?" asked James, Peter, and Sirius.

"They really need to take muggle studies in fifth year, don't they?" said Remus, as Demi laughed. "Okay" he said, turing back to the boys, who were a bit angry, "we need to be in the Great Hall at 1:13 pm."

"Why at 1:13" asked Peter.

"C'mon Pete, even Sirius understands the whole joke" said Demi exasperatedly.

"Anyway," said Remus, ignoring Peter. "We need to be there at 1:13 exactly. That's when we'll do step one of the plan. Agreed?"

"Agreed" said the others, as they went their separate ways.

Demi, James, Remus, and Sirius made their way to Potions, while Peter made his way to ancient Runes. "Do you thing ol' Sluggy's going to have another one of his post-christmas get togethers?" asked Remus.

"Yeah, probably" said James, who sulked at the fact that he'd never once been invited.

"I bet my right eye you're going to get an invite" said Sirius to Remus.

"Why the right eye?" asked Remus, trying to change the subject.

"Stop trying to change the subject and answer me" said Sirius.

"Well, perhaps. He only picks the best in our year. If anything, Lily and Severus will be going" said Remus.

"Wait Lily and Snivellus?" said James, outraged. "You're pulling my leg, aren't you?"

"No, I'm just saying that they are the best in our year-" began Remus.

"Well that little slimeball is up to his eyes in the Dark arts. Potions is just what he needs" James said scathingly.

They reached the Potions class and too their customary seats. James and Remus sat down behind Demi and Sirius, who turned back around to face the other two. "Really James, grow up. This is exactly why Lily doesn't want to go out with you. You can be a bit possessive, you and Sirius can be extremely horrible to everyone you don't like, and sometimes, you can be a bit of a brat" Demi explained slowly.

"What's that supposed to mean? That I'm over possessive? I just don't want the people I care about to get hurt" he explained.

"Well, remember when I was going out with Lockhart?" started Demi.

"I'd rather not" said Sirius.

Demi ignored him, "remember when we would kiss, and you'd get all defensive and everything. It's like that. Lily thought you had no right to tell me what to do, even if we are practically brother and sister," she said.

"Eh, well, it's only Evans who thinks that. I bet everyone else at school loves me" said James.

Demi coughed something that sounded a lot like, "fat bighead."

"Shut up" said James, as he turned to face Slughorn whose large stomach had just entered the class.

"Hello students" he said.

"Hullo, Professor" said the class.

"Now, today we are going to be working on something a little higher than your usual level of potioneering. We are going to brew the babbling beverage. Now, this potion is extremely easy to make, but disastrous should you get it wrong. Should the brewer add too much hellebore, or too little it may cause the drinker's tongue to melt. The recipe can be found on page 17 of your books."

Everyone pulled out their cauldrons and materials and began going to work. Slughorn, however, approached the four students, eyeing one in particular. "Miss Dumbledore, I am hosting late Christmas party for the select student or so. Would you be game?"

"Of- of course Professor" Demi replied, sounding somewhat confused.

"Brilliant, look for my owl" he said, and he walked away.

Demi turned back to her cauldron and could feel someone watching her. She looked up and say all three boys looking at her. "What?" she asked.

"I think I've lost my right eye" said Sirius, waving his hand in front of his face.

"Mr. Black, what in the devil are you doing?" asked Professor Slughorn from the other side of the class, where he was eyeing Sirius with concern.

"Just checking my waving technique" said Sirius, "I'm thinking of getting a new wave. What do you think?" he said, waving to the professor.

"Just go back to your potion Mr. Black" he said, sighing.

"Okay, so I'm not taking you" said Demi, looking at Sirius, bemused.

"What did I do now?" asked Sirius.

"Well for starters . . ." she began.

Remus looked at James, "here they go again" he said, as James nodded.