A/N: Merci mon fantastique reviewers (and I don't actually speak French, so sorry if the grammar's wrong): yandc, jak23, Heiress of Lohaust, MaryandMerlin, BrokenFaerie16, Silver Scorpion, marinewife08, Taylorcutie, chili's-girl, Cassie Weasley, and mee!

So, sort of on a whim, I pre-ordered that Harry Potter Film Wizardry book from Amazon—it arrived yesterday, and It. Is. Awesome! Okay, I haven't actually read any of it yet, but I'm already ridiculously (and probably a little pathetically) excited about the extras that I didn't know came with it. Such as a mock-up of the Marauder's map; copies of props like ads from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, an invitation to the Yule Ball, and the program from the Quidditch World Cup; and STICKERS!

Anyway, Happy New Year, and on to the next chapter!

Chapter 11: Champagne High

Mary didn't return to Gryffindor tower until later that night. I'd relocated to the window seat between our beds to read in relatively more peace than a seat by the Marauders allowed, but looked up warily when my best friend entered the dormitory. To my surprise, she was dressed for the outdoors, though I didn't remember seeing her from my vantage point in the common room at all that day.

"Hey," I said tentatively, bracing for her accusations concerning the argument I'd catalyzed that morning.

But she just greeted me in return and asked what I was reading. "Er, Pride and Prejudice," I answered, "but, hang on, aren't you mad at me?"
"For what?" Mary asked, blue eyes clouded with confusion.

"You know, this morning, when I—"

"Oh, that," Mary said, waving a careless hand. "We—Andrew and I—have made up, don't worry. Have you been here the whole day?" she continued, indicating the window seat I was perched on. "Because when I came back to get my coat, I don't remember seeing you."

"No—I was in the common room, though. Were you outside this entire time?"

"Yeah. I joined Andrew and some of his Ravenclaw friends for a snowball fight and then we went on a long walk."

"Sounds . . . cold," I decided. Mary grinned—she knew my dislike for winter well.

"Don't worry—we found plenty of ways to keep warm," she said with a wink.

I rolled my eyes. "Well, I've had a bit of a strange day," I confessed.

Mary raised an inquisitive eyebrow and joined me on the window seat. "Do tell."

I set my book on the small table beside my bed. "First, I ran into Marlene on my way up here after breakfast, and she asked if there was anything 'going on' between Potter and me." I paused to get Mary's reaction.

She shrugged. "I haven't heard anything," she said, knowing, even though I hadn't directly asked, that I was wondering if she'd caught wind of any gossip in this area. "Must be something she thought of herself."

"So it should be around the entire school by, oh, I don't know, tomorrow morning?" I said unconcernedly.

"Yeah, probably. I'd say earlier, even, seeing as it's a holiday."

"Anyway, then she asked if I wanted to join her and a bunch of people for a snowball fight—this isn't one of the strange bits—which I declined, of course." Mary grinned again. "Instead, I read in the common room—again, not strange—and after the snowball fight crew returned, I had a nice chat with Remus, Peter, Black, Potter, and Chloe," I said nonchalantly. "Oh, and we had hot chocolate that Potter and Chloe stole from the kitchens, which is apparently a regular event. And Chloe actually spoke to me. Twice."

Mary was appropriately surprised by this news. "Well, the kitchens thing is old news—where do you think they get all the food for their parties?" I rolled my eyes, wondering if Potter had coached her to say this. "But the Chloe thing . . . well, maybe it's all the Christmas cheer?" she suggested with a smirk.

"If it is, it must be some powerful stuff. Because not once during this unprecedented episode did I feel like cursing Potter into oblivion. In fact, I actually kind of enjoyed hanging out with him and his mates. Of course, that's different than being with him one-on-one, but . . ."

"What exactly are you trying to say, Lily?" Mary asked shrewdly, though I suspected she had a pretty good idea where I was going with all this.

"I'm saying that I might . . . that being friends with Potter might actually be possible."

Mary gave me a 'good for you' sort of look.

"And that's a big if, by the way," I warned her.

"But it's a start."

"Yes, it is a start."

OOOOOOOO

I had, up until the day of, been fairly apathetic about the New Year's party—I wasn't really the hard core partying type, but I could be persuaded on occasion to join in the celebrations after a Gryffindor Quidditch victory (having missed the match itself, I felt slightly obligated to attend the parties). However, the events that transpired on Friday morning left me one hundred percent ready for a chance to cut loose and dance away my troubles . . . or whatever it is one is supposed to do at a party.

After breakfast, I had a momentary sanity lapse and let Mary, Marlene and Dorcas convince me to join them in a snowball fight with some of the other fifth and sixth year Gryffindor boys—Potter and Black included, of course. I didn't know if I was just more perceptive this year, but there seemed to have been an absurd number of snowball fights since my return to Hogwarts. Maybe people had more steam to let off this year. Or maybe it was hitting some of the older students that they had precious little time left at Hogwarts, and they wanted to ensure they met their snowball fight quota. Or something. I don't know.

Anyway, my roommates insisted that I partake in at least one of them, and I guess I was having a temporary need to try new things—what with my recent resolution about Quidditch—and that, combined with the aforementioned bout of insanity, led to me spending AN HOUR outside in the frigid air. I swear the others must have used the other games for practice, because I got absolutely clobbered. It was actually a little pathetic. To top it all off, my ordeal ended with a massive snowball to the face courtesy of Sirius Black.

"Right," I said, spitting out a mouthful of snow and trying to muster whatever dignity I might still have left. "I think I'm done."

The others all tried to convince me to stay for 'just one more round,' but the way they were all obviously holding back laughter didn't exactly work to convince me to stay.

"I'll walk you back," Potter offered. I gave him an odd look, but was so dead set on getting back in the castle that I didn't want to waste time arguing with him.

"That was rather low of Sirius, sorry," he said as we trudged through the snow.

"It's fine—not your fault," I said truthfully.

"Yeah, well, I still feel bad about it," Potter said, slinging an arm around my shoulders in a friendly way . . . and promptly shoving a concealed handful of snow in my face.

I stood frozen in shock as everyone's suppressed laughter finally burst fourth, unable to be contained any longer in the face of Potter's trick. "You . . ." I started angrily, whipping around to face him.

"Y-you should've s-s-seen your face!" he laughed. Gaining control of himself slightly, he added, "Sorry, Evans, it was just too easy to pass up."

"I will get you back for that," I threatened before turning on my heel—rather harder in snow, mind you—and striding back to the castle.

Dripping, frozen to the bone, and fuming, I was not ready for a confrontation with Chloe, but apparently fate had other ideas.

She cornered me in the Entrance Hall, and I wondered briefly why she hadn't been outside enjoying the fun—smarter than me for once, I guess—before she shouted, "What are you playing at?"

My patience as thin as the ice clinging to my hair, I replied shortly, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, don't act all innocent," Chloe spat back. Literally—I mean, I think spittle actually landed on my cheek. "Just stay away from him, he's mine!"

I nearly laughed at her childish outburst, but my confusion overcame my amusement. "Who—wait, are you talking about Potter?" I snorted. "Honey, believe me when I tell you there's nothing to worry about—I am in no way trying to steal your boyfriend, or whatever impression it is you're operating under."

Chloe continued to glare at me suspiciously. "I don't believe you."

"Right, well, that's your choice, I suppose," I said. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go take such a long shower that there won't be any hot water left for a week."

And I thought we were starting to get on, I mused as the blessedly warm water hit me at last. Well, there's proof that she really was jealous of me this whole time, though I'm not sure what caused the sudden outburst. Maybe I should be worried about Marlene's gossip after all.

After my shower I put on old jeans and a baggy sweater. Because I was starving and didn't really feel like waiting for the others to return, I decided to head to lunch on my own. When I left the common room, however, I found Severus leaning against the opposite wall.

"I was waiting for you," he stated unnecessarily—who else could he possibly want to see from Gryffindor?

"What, come to threaten me again? Or do you want to punch me this time?"

Severus glared at me. "I didn't start that fight, Lily."

"Whatever. At any rate, I can't see what you could possibly have to say to me, so I'll just be—" I tried to pass him, but Sev grabbed my arm.

"Can't you just listen to me for two sec—"

"No, I can't, actually. Come on, Sev, I already told you—we've chosen different paths. And, in reality, that divergence started a long time ago, so it's too late to reverse it. Can you honestly say that, given the choice, you would pick me over them? Or maybe the better question is could you? Because even if you wanted to, I don't think it's possible anymore. Is it?"

The question hung in the air like a thick fog. Severus was quiet, and his silence was answer enough for me. Sighing, I started walking again, and this time he didn't stop me.

OOOOOOOO

"It's not normal, is it?" I asked Mary later that evening.

"That you're more disappointed than anything that your former best friend may very possibly be a Death Eater? No, that's not really normal, Lil," she agreed. "Anger, fear—those would be more appropriate reactions."

I sighed. "I know. I think my sanity has been . . . missing, a bit, lately. Or maybe the Severus stuff just hasn't completely sunk in yet."

"Well, I guess it doesn't pose an immediate threat," Mary tried to reason. "It's not like they'll do anything while still at school, right?"

I shrugged. I didn't know how the Death Eaters operated. "Anyway, sorry to bring this up now—what with this party tonight and everything. I didn't mean to be a downer."

"It's all right," Mary said. "Just gives us more reason to make the most of tonight, right?"

And for once, I agreed with her completely.

"Now, what are you going to wear?" she said, jumping off of my bed and flinging open my closet.

I followed more slowly. "Honestly, does it matter?"

Mary fixed me with a stern look. "Yes." Turning back to my clothes, she selected a sparkly blue top—she'd made me buy it last year—and held it up to me. "I've always liked this shirt."

I sighed. "Yes, I know. You practically held me up at wandpoint until I bought it. But don't you think it's a little . . . flashy, for this?"

Mary looked at me witheringly. "Lily, it's New Year's. You're supposed to be flashy."

We eventually compromised with a purple tank top with sequins outlining the collar and sleeves—by this point, I was just happy to have reached a decision, as Marlene and Dorcas had come in while we Mary and I were still debating and of course had to add their opinions as well. I helped the two girls get ready while Mary chose her own outfit. This mostly consisted of nodding encouragingly when they asked if they looked all right and assuring them that this shirt didn't make them look fat and that skirt was absolutely flattering.

After I'd been attacked with make-up by the other three, we were finally ready. The four of us descended the stairs to the common room, where streamers hung from every available surface, '1977' flashed from the walls, and music pounded through speakers magicked to float near the ceiling. A banner depicting the countdown to midnight hung above the fireplace; currently, it read 2:48: 57.

Apparently, word had got out about the Marauder's party, as word is wont to do when it concerns them, as there were several people from other Houses mingling with the Gryffindors. Including . . .

"Andrew?" Mary asked in surprised as her boyfriend waved to us from beside a table laden with cups and a large bowl of punch. Marlene and Dorcas immediately spotted some friends from Hufflepuff and left us to join them. "What are you doing here?" Mary continued.

Andrew grinned at her. "I got Potter to give me the password, because who better to spend New Year's with than my beautiful girlfriend?" he said with a wink. "Besides, we're not doing anything in Ravenclaw tonight," he added with a scowl.

"That's because Ravenclaws are a bunch of swots," Potter said, coming up beside us. "What with their obsession with absurd things like studying . . . er, present company excluded, of course," he said, slapping Andrew on the back. "Glad you could join us, mate. Well, thank you all for coming, enjoy the party, and be sure to try the 'punch'"—he put air quotes around the word—"it's excellent."

Grabbing a cupful himself, Potter walked over to where Chloe was standing by the fire, kissing her on the cheek as he reached her. I quickly turned away, not wanting to catch her eye, just in case she felt the need to accost me again. "Potter sure likes playing host, huh?" I commented to Mary and Andrew as they helped themselves to the 'punch' as well. "I mean, he sounded so formal, and didn't even take the time to make a witty comment to me about the snowball fight incident. Which, by the way, if you think of something for me to use to pay him back for that, let me know."

"Will do," Mary promised. I grabbed her cup of punch, took a sip, and passed it back with a grimace. "Too strong for you, Lil?" she asked sweetly.

"Definitely—and don't tease Mary, you know I don't drink."

"Not even on New Year's?" Andrew asked.

"Especially not on New Year's," I said. "I'm not stupid—I've heard the stories over the years of the things that happen at these parties. And I don't care to add my name to the gossip list," I said with dignity. Especially since it appears to be already on it, I added silently, thinking once again of Marlene's sudden interest in Potter and me.

"Fair enough," Andrew returned before toasting me with his glass and draining it in three gulps. "Of course, there are other schools of thought," he said with a smirk.

I raised my eyebrows. "Apparently." Turning to Mary, I said, "Have fun with this one."

"Oh, I'm sure I will," she said, wiggling her eyebrows seductively at Andrew.

"Right," I said, leaving them to their . . . couple-y-ness.

Feeling a little awkward without at least something in my hand, I grabbed a butterbeer from the neglected stack near the punch bowl and started around the perimeter of the room. I wasn't exactly looking for anyone specific; I just knew that tonight was not one where I wanted to be the third wheel with Mary and Andrew.

Eventually, I spotted Remus chatting with a sixth year Ravenclaw girl I knew vaguely—I think her name was Carin—and headed in that direction. The girl walked away as I approached, and I joked as I neared him, "Hope I didn't scare her off."

Remus smiled at me. "Hey, Lily. No, Carin"—I was proud of myself for getting her name right—"was just asking me a question about a project Kettleburn said we'd be starting after the holidays." Professor Kettleburn was the Care of Magical Creatures teacher.

I raised my eyebrows at him. "You're talking about homework? And people always told me I was a buzz kill at parties."

Remus just shrugged.

"So?" I said slowly, leaning towards him conspiratorially.

"So . . . what?"

"So, do you fancy her, or what? You could always start up a chat about the weather next, or something else equally exciting," I teased.

Remus nudged me in the ribs. "Oh, sod off, Lily. And . . . well, I'm not really into dating."

I gave him an odd look. "What the hell does that mean? Unless . . . what you're trying to say is that you're not into girls, because that's totally fine, I—"

He glared at me. "No, that's not what I'm saying." After a pause, he continued, "It's just, you know . . . with my, er, condition, it makes it hard . . ."

"Oh," I said, the teasing smile sliding abruptly from my face. "Remus, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—I was just taking the mickey out of you, but I wasn't—"

"It's fine, Lily," Remus assured me. "Really."

I was silent for a while, before smiling again and saying, "Well, if you're still in need of a midnight kiss when the auspicious hour tolls . . ."

Remus frowned again. "How many butterbeers have you had?"

"This is my first one," I said defensively. "And it was a joke, you know. Honestly, you're the one who needs more to drink."

"Oh good, Evans, you're making sure the butterbeer doesn't feel too left out," Potter said, smirking as he came over to us, Chloe—of course—in tow.

I looked at her warily, but she seemed to be determinedly pretending I didn't exist.

"I'll be right back—need another drink," Remus mumbled quickly.

Potter watched him walk away. "What's his problem?" he wondered aloud, raising his own drink to his lips.

"Er, I might have kind of offered to kiss him at midnight," I admitted, blushing a little.

Potter spit the mouthful he'd just gulped on the floor. "What?" he said hoarsely.

"I was just trying to make a joke," I said quickly. "But I think I weirded him out a little."

"I have to pee," Chloe announced suddenly, and I was pretty sure she just wanted to get away from me.

Potter glanced at her as she left, but soon turned back to me. "So, Evans, I didn't know you were into wolves," he said with a wink.

I glared at him. "I'm not—urgh, this is why I don't go to parties."

"Because you make a fool of yourself and frighten away all the blokes? And you don't even have to be drunk to do it—yeah, that's pretty impressive," Potter said, still smirking in that annoying way of his.

This would be the perfect time to find something to get him back for th—oh! That'll work. Someone had just passed me carrying a plate with a giant piece of cake on it, and an idea struck me. "I don't know about you," I said, ignoring Potter's latest comment, "but I'm hungry, and that cake looks amazing. Do you want me to get you a piece while I'm over there?"
Potter frowned slightly, and I could tell he was suspicious of my sudden charity. Hopefully not suspicious enough . . . "Uh, sure."

"Great!" I said before he could second-guess himself. "I'll be right back."

Checking to make sure Remus was no longer by the drink table—he wasn't—I hurried up to the table next to it and grabbed two pieces of cake.
Rejoining Potter, I said, "Here you go!" And before he could see what I was doing, I shoved the cake in his face. "It's not as cold as snow, but it's definitely messier, so I'd say we're even, wouldn't you?" I grinned evilly at Potter, who was attempting to wipe the cake and frosting from his face.

"That was good, Evans, I have to admit. Didn't see it coming at all." He licked his fingers clean, but I was pleased to see he still had cake in his hair. I sure wasn't going to tell him that, though.

"Thank you," I said smugly. "So, where's the rest of your entourage?"

"Sirius and Peter? Well, Sirius is . . . there," he said, pointing to where the Marauder in question was dancing with three girls. "And yes, he is already drunk, good of you to ask. Peter . . . is already passed out on the couch." Potter indicated the spot by the fire where the fourth Marauder was, indeed, sprawled out as though he'd simply collapsed there. "Lightweight," Potter explained in response to my questioning look.
I glanced at my watch. "It's only ten o'clock."

"Is it already? Well, that's pretty good for him—last year he'd hit that point by nine thirty."

I shook my head. "And you?"

"What about me?"

"Are you drunk?"

But before Potter could answer, Chloe returned. "This is my fav—why do you have cake in your hair?" I sighed in disappointment as she picked it out. "Anyway, this is my favorite song! Come and dance with me," she commanded.

With a parting salute to me, Potter let Chloe drag him into the middle of the room, where the furniture had been cleared for a make-shift dance floor. I stayed where he left me and just observed the scene around me for a while. After a couple minutes, I spotted Mary and Andrew, dancing in a way that I would feel uncomfortable describing. Quickly averting my eyes from them, my gaze passed over the far corner of the common room just in time to see a girl throw up all over another girl's shoes. Rolling my eyes, I continued my sweep of the room until my view was suddenly blocked by Sirius's face.

"Heeeey, Lily," he said, grinning at me. His nose was literally inches from mine, and I could smell the booze on his breath. I tried to step back, but as there was a wall right behind me, this wasn't so effective. Sidestepping him instead, I increased the distance between us to a comfortable level. "Dance with me?"

Merlin, he must be drunk, I thought, unsure whether to laugh or be horrified. "Er, no thanks," I said.

Sirius shrugged, apparently not bothered by my refusal. "Yeah, you're pro'ly right," he slurred. "Pra—Prongs'd def'nitely kill me."

Before I could figure out how that possibly made sense, a shout rang out from the middle of the room. "What the hell is this?"

I turned to see Chloe standing, one hand on her hip, the other brandishing a stack of papers in Potter's face, a look of absolute fury on her face.

"I can explain that," Potter said quickly.

"Well, start talking," Chloe snapped, crossing her arms defensively across her chest.

"Let's—can we not do this here?" Potter hissed. People around them were starting to go quiet, staring at them.

Without waiting for her to answer, Potter grabbed Chloe's wrist and marched her out of the common room. As soon as they left, the noise level resumed, though I was sure many people were gossiping about what had just occurred.

"So, heard ya tried t'kiss Moony," Sirius continued, as though nothing had happened.

I whipped around to glare at him. "I did not try to—God, it was a joke! Why can no one get that?"

"Well, if ya wan' an an'mal tamer'n a werewolf, I'll kiss you at midnight."

I stared at him. "I really don't know what that first part meant, but you're joking, right?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Obv'usly, Evans." And with that, he walked—rather unsteadily—over to rejoin the girls he'd been dancing with earlier. This night is so strange, I reflected, almost wishing I'd gone to more New Year's parties—they sure were entertaining.

Just then Mary came up to me. "So what the hell happened with Chloe and Potter?"

"No idea," I replied, though I was starting to have a nagging suspicion about the papers Chloe had shoved under Potter's nose. I hoped for my conscience's sake that I was wrong.

But once again, fate was not on my side. Chloe suddenly stomped back into the common room, strode straight up to me, and slapped me hard across the face.

A/N: Okay, I really did mean to finish up the party in this chapter….but it looks like it's going to spill over into the next one too!