Three weeks later the dust had settled, Miriella had been seen with a 5th year Ravenclaw, their Quiddich captain on a number of occasions but this was as yet unconfirmed. He had been quick to pounce on the opportunity when rumour spread that James and Miriella had finished, but so had a few others. Normal order had been restored, Miriella was once again on the market, and was once again the most eligible girl in school.

Miriella confirmed the rumours about herself and Darius one late April evening as the girls sat basking in the late afternoon sunshine of the common room window. They were laughing spiritedly at Miriella's antics with poor Darius when Remus, Peter, Sirius and James entered, the latter two very obviously engaged in a disagreement.

'I'm telling you, those girls said it, Moony heard, didn't you? Sirius said, punching his friend on the shoulder, propelling him to give the truth to James to settle the argument.

'They did', Remus conceded. 'They came to the overall conclusion that, of the two, Sirius would be the better kisser.'

'Such bollocks!' James exclaimed. 'That's guesswork, none of them have been lucky enough to kiss either of us, making their results inconclusive.'

'Well then Prongs, my rubbish kisser pal, why don't we ask some girls who have had that pleasure?'

Sirius strode over to the groups usual seats by the curved tower window. They had all stopped their conversation at the loud approach of their male year mates, but were still grinning.

'Mary', Sirius said, taking a seat next to her. 'Mary, Mary, Mary. You have kissed both myself and James Potter over the years, who would you say was the better kisser?'

'I can't remember really' she laughed. 'It must have been fourth year or something, but I'm going to say James.'

James celebrated, winking at Mary. Sirius snorted, 'pity vote', he declared.

'Right, fine' said James, 'Mina?'

'Oh James, definitely. Sirius, you were a wonderful kisser when we dated in first year, but it was always a bit rushed. James meant it when he did it.'

'Can't argue with that Padfoot' James said, smile widening.

'Miriella?' Sirius appealed.

'Tough one, both good, both above average. Hmmm. Sirius tops it. James was gentler, Sirius more passionate.'

'Oh dear, I believe we have a draw' laughed Remus.

'No' yelped James, 'Mina and Mary voted for me, Miri voted for Sirius, that means I win.'

'Ah but the debate started because the girls in the corridor voted for me' said Sirius with mildly disguised glee. 'The only way I can see us settling this is if we both kiss someone we have never kissed before and they decide there and then.'

All eyes swivelled to Lily, who let out a 'hah'.

'That's you done for then boys' said Peter, 'she'll never agree. You'll have more luck with Moony'.

'Save me Lily' appealed Remus, looking happier than she'd seen him in a long while.

'Not so fast, Peter' Lily answered, 'I have this awful reputation for being serious and boring, it seems. Well life's too short. What the hell.'

'You'll do it?', Sirius asked, eyebrows raised, as he began rubbing his hands together.

'Why not,' she replied, 'you two better live up to your glowing reputations'.

James had kept quiet throughout this conversation, the group tensed as he leant forward, unable to predict whether he was gleeful or petrified.

He smiled, 'ladies first' he said, nodding to Sirius.

Lily reddened a little now the task was at hand. Sirius made a show of walking over to her chair and offering her his hand. She took it, wondering at how steady and dry it was, while her own felt a little clammy at all of this unexpected attention.

'Two minutes on the clock', announced Remus.

Sirius had his hands on her hips, and had levelled his gaze directly into her eyes. Playing along, she placed both hands onto his shoulders. Remus shouted, 'go' and Sirius moved in.

'Avert thine eyes', Miriella whispered, moving next to James on the sofa. 'This has got to be hurting you.'

'It is and it isn't', he replied. 'You?'

'I've watched Sirius kiss millions of other girls' she sighed. 'At least I know he won't sleep with this one.'

Remus called time and the two broke apart, laughing at each other.

'Dammit Evans, you are good!' he cried, to general laughter. 'Potter, you're up'.

James took a deep breath and got to his feet. 'You're sure you want to do this?' he asked.

'I'm 50% of the way through this ordeal' she replied, 'no going back now'.

James had begun kissing her before Remus had reset his watch. Feeling his hand grasp the base of her skull, Lily couldn't decide whether she could breathe or not, and stopped caring. His kiss was intense but gentle, fiery but smooth, uncontrollable but controlled. It was blissful oblivion, her heart raced at such a pace that it must have become audible. She was visibly responding, this wasn't a game anymore.

Remus called time again, and Lily came to herself. She desperately attempted not to give herself away, when all she wanted to do was dissolve the room and continue kissing him. What a strange reaction, she thought. The thoughts that had lingered in the back of her head since March came fully to the front, and she quieted them by drawing away from him and taking her seat back silently.

The entire common room was looking at her. Had they noticed? Had they seen into her brain and watched it form the life-changing conclusion it had spend many weeks subconsciously working over?

'Well...verdict?' Mary shouted, to general laughter.

Lily sighed her relief, she remained undiscovered.

She spent a few seconds reaching for her text book and settling herself in her chair.

'Oh... Potter wins' she replied.