A/N: Thanks to all those who reviewed the previous chapter:)

4.

Lily glanced around nervously as she chewed on her lower lip. She and James had been waiting for Professor Dumbledore for over fifteen minutes and this office filled with weird objects (except for the adorable phoenix of course) was giving her the creeps. James on the other hand seemed quite comfortable, even happy with the fact that Dumbledore was late. While Lily fidgeted nervously, he merely watched her as if her every move amused as well as interested him in equal amounts.

"Do you think he's forgotten that he was supposed to meet us?" asked Lily impatiently.

"I honestly don't-"

"No, I have not Lily." Said a deep voice from behind.

They turned to see a slightly smiling Dumbledore looking at them, one eye behind his back and the other stroking his beard.

"I didn't….good morning sir." Stammered Lily.

"Good morning Professor."

"Permit me to say that I am proud to see two of my favorite students ready to take up their responsibilities as heads of the prestigious institution that is Hogwarts." Said Dumbledore.

"As you know, your duties include organizing prefect meetings, dances, Hogsmead outings, patrols and all other such activities. In short, you will be managing the general running of the school. To make it easier for both of you to work together at all times, you have been assigned a joint study which consists of two bedrooms and a large common room. Now, I presume James already knows the location of your rooms due to his exceedingly inquisitive nature. The password is Lemony Snickets."

Lily followed James out and once they were out of earshot, snorted loudly. James turned to her in surprise.

"What?" he said puzzled.

"I just witnessed the understatement of the year."

"Huh?"

"That's all he could describe you with? Exceedingly inquisitive! Puh-lease you're way more than that. You're like the high king of late night wanderings, the patron saint of pranks, the epitome of trouble, the-"

"Okay, okay enough with the praise." Said James rolling his eyes. "We're here."

"What? We're going to sleep here? In front of the portrait of a mountain?"

James raised an eyebrow at her. "Cute. But not today love."

It took her a moment to get his drift. Once she did, she blushed furiously and glared at him. Before she could react more violently, he gave the password and the portrait slid into the wall to reveal a magnificent common room. It was filled with soft, cushiony armchairs and sofas of deep red. On either side of the common room, were two doors which they presumed led to their bedrooms."

"Wow! It's huge." Said Lily in awe.

"It's pretty good." Shrugged James. "We should get changed and get back to the Gryffindor common room. They're all probably waiting."

"Kay."

Lily opened her door and found that her trunk had already been placed beside her bed. The walls were painted in light shades of lilac. An adjacent door led to a bathroom that rivaled the prefects' one, and that was saying something. As she made her way across a heated Jacuzzi and a miniature pool that was supposed to be the bathtub, a door at the far end of the bathroom caught her eye. Instinctively, she went over and pushed the handle to open the door. Heat flooded her cheeks as she saw what the door led to- James' room. To make matters worse, James was rummaging through his trunk- shirtless.

He turned around and yelped as he saw her.

"Jeez! Woman, you could have knocked!" he said, quickly pulling in a shirt.

"Crap. Sorry, I didn't know what the door led to."

She had a hard time keeping herself from fleeing the room, as she looked anywhere but at him. It wasn't like she didn't want to look at him or anything. In fact, it was quite the opposite. He looked like Adonis with his slightly tanned skin and toned chest. She didn't know why she was overreacting. It wasn't the first time she was seeing a shirtless guy. Still, she was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to take her eyes off him if she took even an accidental glance.

"Lily."

She looked up.

"You're still allowed to blink and breath you know."

"Umm…right. Sorry again. I'll meet you in the common room then?"

"Sure thing."

Fifteen minutes later, Lily made her way out of the head study towards the Gryffindor common room. She had changed into faded jeans and a light cotton top and was trying her best to forget about her encounter with James.

"Oy! Lily, wait up." James called behind her.

"What took you so long?"

"Stuff." He muttered. In truth, he had just given Sirius a detailed word-by-word play of all that had taken place between him and Lily, through their two-way mirrors. Sirius had found the incident extremely amusing and had also enlightened James with a series of events he thought would take place if they had to share a bathroom.

Prongs (he had said), you walk in on her by accident even once and that's it. She loses her head completely, curses you into oblivion and the next thing you know you'll be hanging naked and bruised from a Quidditch pole. James had congratulated Sirius on being as imaginative as a ten year old.

"You know Lily, I was thinking."

"That's a first."

"I think it's unfair that you've seen me shirtless but I haven't seen you-"

"Don't even think of finishing that sentence."

"Then finish it for me."

"Don't be a perv."

"Don't be a killjoy."

"Fuck off."

"With you? Gladly."

"Can't you find someone else to bug?"

"Nah. Not when I have you."

"Why do you annoy me when you're bored?"

"It's fun."

"I had to ask."

"So, do you know there's a party tonight?"

"Since the marauders are hosting it, obviously I heard a rumor."

"You don't object?"

"I guess it's alright. The party's almost like tradition."

They gave the password and let themselves into the Gryffindor common room.

They found Remus and Ashley deeply immersed in a game of chess.

"Where are Sirius and Sel?" asked James.

"Dorm." Remus answered without looking up.

"Siri-" said James as they entered the boy's dorm. He stopped in his tracks as he saw Sirius and Selena entangled in an intense snogging session on his bed. Sirius had one hand in her hair and the other was roaming freely under her shirt. Selena had her legs tightly wrapped around Sirius and both of them seemed oblivious to their surroundings. That is, until Lily let out something halfway between a choke and a shriek and fell back into James' arms.

"Bloody Merlin! What is wrong with you guys?" Lily yelled, still in James' arms.

They pulled apart abruptly and looked up in horror.

"Yeah, what were you thinking doing it on my bed." Added James

"Er….we didn't make it as far as mine." Stated Sirius apologetically.

"What the fuck, Sel?" said Lily angrily. "What are you doing?"

"Crap." Groaned Selena as she hid her face in Sirius' neck.

"First you date the very guy I tell you not to, and now you're letting him mess around with you? Do you want to repeat the whole Jared fiasco again?"

Jared had been Selena's first crush. Despite his reputation as a player, she had been besotted with the guy who was one year her senior. They had gone out for nearly a year before the bastard left her broken-hearted. Their lives had been connected for so long that Selena had completely broken down the first few months. She didn't know how to go about her day. Every small thing brought tears to her eyes. The guy had completely shattered her self image and it was like living in hell. It had taken all of Lily's strength and patience to pick up her best friend's shattered pieces and put them back together. Lily hadn't thought Selena would forget the pain so quickly.

Selena didn't answer but her faced turned white.

"Why are you doing this to yourself?" hissed Lily. "Sirius is an amazing guy, okay, agreed. He's my friend too, but he is a player. That's just who he is. It's been less than twelve hours that you've dated and look what you're already doing."

"Lily, it's not like that. I have no intention of hurting her."

"Then what is your intention huh? There's a woman I haven't humped. She must be mounted!"

"That was out of line Lily. You know I would never think like that." Said Sirius coolly.

After a few moments of silence, Lily sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry. Look, I just don't want to see my best friend get hurt again."

"You won't Lily. I really like her, okay; she's been my friend too for quite some time now. Even if we stopped dating, I would still care about her. I never let my friends down. I thought you would know that by now."

"I do Sirius. But I also know that you're only human. What if some sexy girl tried to seduce you huh? Are you telling me you wouldn't fall for her like every other male?"

This time Selena answered. "Then we'd break up like all normal teenagers Lily. But right now, I'd like to concentrate on enjoying this relationship and getting to know him better."

"Him or his body?' muttered Lily, so only James could hear her.

"Lily, it's not like before, okay? I'm stronger now. I can handle being in a relationship and make my own decisions. So drop it."

"Fine." Said Lily resignedly, narrowing her eyes at Sirius. "But you bet there'll be hell to pay if you mess her up."

"Wow, you scared me little sister." Said Sirius sarcastically. "For someone so small, you're quite bugging at times."

"I'm serious, Black."

"No, I'm Sirius Black."

They all groaned at his poor joke.

"Lily I'll let you solder me without protest if I ever treat her wrong, Okay?"

"Yeah, alright. I trust you enough to know that you won't hurt her on purpose."

"Now if we're all of the opinion that we've discussed enough about my relationship with Sirius, can we move it before we're late for transfiguration?"

"Yeah, I wouldn't put it past McGonagall to give us detention even on our first day back."

Later that evening:

The marauders were sprawled on the floor of their dorm making sure they had everything ready for the party.

"Prongs, you still haven't told us what you and Padfoot have in store for this party that will make it marauder worthy." Said Remus curiously.

"Yeah, it better be as good as you and Sirius have been boasting."

"All that and better." Said Sirius smirking.

James nodded in agreement. He went across to his trunk and took out what looked like a thin, transparent, square shaped screen measuring almost fifteen inches.

"What's that?"

"I'll show you. Padfoot, get a bowl of water please."

He placed the transparent sheet on the bowl of water.

"Moony, keep your eyes on this bowl, Okay?"

"Fine."

"Now, I'm going to say a word or a phrase and the first thing that pops into your mind or the first thing that you're reminded of by that word will be shown as a reflection in the water."

" For example, Remus- 'Saturday nights'."

An image of Rosmerta serving the marauders firewhisky appeared in the water of the bowl.

Remus let out a low whistle. "Sweet."

"Peter, it's your turn-' Skinny dipping'."

An image of an almost naked girl, who happened to be Peter's Hufflepuff crush appeared in the water.

"Way to go Wormtail!" said Sirius as Peter turned a bright shade of red.

"I saw her accidentally last year." He muttered, embarrassed.

James looked down at his watch. "Time to get ready for tonight." It's going to be one hell of a night, he thought.

A/N: So, How was it? Compliments or criticism? I'd love anything:D Please review!