A/N: I know you loved the last chappy…..

You'll love this one even more!

Oh, hangover city.

Am I even alive?

"Urghhhggrh." I heard Drew moving in her bed to the right of mine…then a large thud on the floor. Oh Drew.

She cursed like a sailor as she pulled herself up off the floor, which in turn woke the rest of the girls up.

"Drew, you look like walking death." I sniggered as I dodged a pillow from her.

Sitting up, I rubbed my forehead and tried to remember everything that happened the night before.

Only danced with Potter a bit and deciding to become a mananizer…er…yeah, sounds about right. I managed to drink five drinks and stay the least drunk if my friends. I was also the girl to help her mates out of the toilets and back to the castle.

And then it hit me.

Flashback*

Oh my, this Davies lad was a nice little kisser.

"You know, I've always had a thing for you." He whispered in my ear as we danced.

I cocked an eyebrow up at him, "Oh really?"

He nodded and tightened his grip on me.

And for some reason, I was not flattered. I was…empty. Well—not technically after all the booze—but you understand what I mean.

I pulled away and gave him a small smile. "I think I'm going to use the loo." Then I walked away.

Graceful. I know.

It was worthless leading on a boy for my selfish needs to make James Potter jealous. No, no…I needed to grow up a bit.

Wow, I should do this sober thing more often.

I went in search of Drew and found her at the bar clutching a shot glass. She was a bit hunched over and had a sour face on. I walked over and leaned on the bar right next to her. "Hey love."

She turned towards me reluctantly and I saw tears in her eyes.

"My god, Drew what is the matter." I grabbed her arm with wide eyes.

She shook her head a slammed a hand on the bar top, "Another shot, barkeep!" She slurred.

I frowned and gently pulled her away from the bar and walked her over to the door after I wrapped her with my cloak. Outside, we walked across the way and I sat her on a rock and kneeled in front of her on the grass. "What happened," I took her hand as she rubbed her face and looked away, "What's wrong?"

"I—I, well…" she rubbed at her eyes again, furiously. "I overheard some girls in the loo talking about me."

I stared up at her in confusion.

"Badly." She added. "I heard Bethany Dotson ranting about how I am puny and ugly, and couldn't understand why anyone would ever fancy me."

That right bitch! She had nowhere to complain with her snaggle-toothed grin, awful skin, and overt nastiness to every female in the school. Not to mention the number of people who respected her because her legs were permanently in the plow-me position. And I told her just as much.

"Darling, you know how gorgeous you are and how foul she is." I said. "Please do not take her criticism to heart, she is just washed up because she's had every lad in our year (and a couple of professors). She has nothing left!"

I managed a little smile from her.

"Ready to go back in?" I rubbed her cold fingers tightly in my hands.

"Yes." She stood, a little unsteadily. "Thank you. Please don't mention this to anyone."

"I've already forgotten about it." I smiled and turned towards the pub.

Standing outside the door was Remus, speaking rapidly to a furious Sirius. I found it a bit odd.

"The odd thing is," Drew spoke again, "She was speaking about some lad who turned her down because he was looking at me, or something."

I thought a minute and pieced two and two together.

Oh, poor Sirius, if he was turning down girls for Drew, he had better declare celibacy then and there. She would never have him.

I smiled at both of them as we walked inside, noting that Sirius's cheeks were rather pink. "Right, that is odd."

Once inside the pub again, I immediately spotted the rest of our friends flailing like drunken banshees and inserted Drew with a clear warning to everyone that she was not allowed to have another drink.

Sighing, I went outside alone for a fag. What a night. As I pulled my cloak closer to me I leaned against the wall away from Remus and Sirius. I didn't bother eavesdropping because I figured I knew what they were going on about anyway. As I puffed the cig I let the smoke out slowly, closing my eyes.

"Mind if I bum?" Potter's voice shook my eyes open (and my heart into my throat).

I wordlessly reached into my pocket and handed him a cigarette and a light. I must have shown surprise (or horror) in my face because he smiled at me (swoon) and even chuckled a little.

What?

"I figure," He lit the cigarette and spoke with it in his mouth, "Maybe we should be civil to each other if we are being forced work on this holiday thing together."

I frowned a little, not loving the way that sentence was phrased (but melting over the way his lips looked with that cig in his mouth because I could ice that mouth like a cake and—)

"Truce?" He offered a hand.

I still didn't know what to say. I love you? I hate you? Marry me? Have my children? Wait, no—that's the other way around…unless we want to get complicated and start talking test tube babies—SHUT UP LILY!

"Okay." I took his hand.

One small step for our future, no?

Does that sound a bit creepy?

Shut up.

We stood there smoking our cigarettes without another word to each other in surprisingly comfortable silence. Feeling his presence next to me was reassuring in a weird way. Like we could be friends…which wasn't what I wanted, but hey—better than nothing.

I finished my cigarette and stubbed it out in the dirt. Pulling my cloak around myself I tried to find my words. "Well, I'm going to go in now. Bye."

He nodded and looked ahead.

Weird.

Weird?

Oh God, kill me.

Did this mean he was going to speak to me in public? Or were we to only speak when we worked on the project together? Or in private? Naked?

What? Who said that?

Anyway I walked inside and found the girls just as I left them, dancing like drunken red-faced loons. Love them.

Smiling, I joined them since I was in a far better mood after my little encounter. Faye was drunk as a skunk and dancing in circles around us. I was a bit jealous of how she could flail around and still look really beautiful. Damn her.

Then I saw Drew twirl around and into the arms of Sirius. But she had no idea it was him.

Oh, this was perfect.

So I spied on them.

She danced for a few seconds against him, while he looked surprised. And once she turned around to face him he was dragged away by Bethany Dotson, who yanked his arm around her waist. Drew took on a confused face and shook her head slightly.

End Flashback*

Hey, at least I remembered everything that happened the night before. Usually that's a shot in hell.

…Anyway…

I felt good, I had gotten sleep and I was in my new pencil skirt. I didn't have a care in the world.

I went to lunch with Faye and Drew. Persephone was out cold in a drunken coma. I walked into the great hall with my mates and found a seat down the middle of the long empty Gryffindor table.

"I'm so over this hangover", Drew moaned, looking unpleasant the whole trip down.

"Lay off the pints next time." I said, sipping my coffee and scanning the room for James. He had better show up, I look bloody hot. For once.

"You lay off the lush next time." Drew shot back, her head on the table.

"Hey!" I protested, knowing I may have, sort of acted a bit tarty with Gregory. "I'm in mourning."

"You've been mourning for five years!" Drew shot her head up. "You need to do something."

I wasn't taken aback by her boldness. By now, the rest of us were used to it. "Yeah, I will, right after he decides to START TALKING TO ME AGAIN."

Drew just dropped her head down onto her arms a second time, giving up.

I sighed and watched Faye jump up to hug Gretchen and welcome her to sit with us. I loved that girl, she was one of those gorgeous girls who didn't know it, and she was sweet as pie too. A bit naïve, though.

"Hello ladies." She sat down next to me.

"Hi love," I greeted her with a hug, "How's everything?"

"Wonderful, I've just got a letter from my mum, she's packing for a new show in London, but she wants to come by and visit." She laughed. "I kindly explained that parents don't usually come by to visit at the castle."

Oh right, on top of being absolutely perfect, her mother was a famous fashion designer in the Wizarding world, and was constantly traveling.

She was the kind of person who was regularly featured in Witch Weekly, and if she wasn't, her clothing was sure to be on a new star. But of course, Gretchen was very humble about it and never spoke a word about it until asked. We knew her so well that we were lucky enough to meet her mother (also perfectly sweet, although a bit manic) and she took us round London last summer. We were all becoming fast friends, and we tried to steal her away from the clutches of Amelia, who was only using her for her money and connections.

"Anyway, I really miss her, I haven't seen her in so long." Gretchen tucked a strand of light brown hair behind one ear and reached for a roll. "I barely get to see her when I'm home!"

I thought for a minute. "Well," I mused. "I know a way you could get your mum over here for the holidays if she wont be busy."

Drew raised her head and gave me a menacing look. "And how are you supposed to do that?"

Note to self 4: Stay away from Drew for at least 24 hours after she is hung over.

I ignored her and turned to Gretchen with a smile on my face. "I totally understand if she will be busy because the holidays are high tide for the fashion industry, but I was put in charge of the festivities for this December. Maybe you could have her out here to do a fashion show with a few students putting together sets, modeling, etc."

Her face lit up. "Lil, you're brilliant! She would love to help out! I just know it." She started rummaging through her bag for a quill. "I'm going to write her right now. She'd been wanting to help the school out in some way."

"Great," I smiled, feeling a lot of weight lift off my shoulders. I had a lot more to do, but this would relieve a good amount of stress. "I really appreciate it, please don't worry if she can't—"

"No, no!" She waved a hand, dismissing my sentence. "She would be pleased!"

I nodded towards Drew with a "Ha!" smile.

She gave me the worst look and shoved some chicken into her mouth, (probably to keep from baring her teeth and lunging over the table at me).

Faye looked as pleased as the rest of us (save Drew) and munched happily on her toast. "I think I'm going to help you, Lily."

"Really?" I asked, confused. "I could certainly use the help, thank you. That's very nice of you, unlike Negative Nancy over here."

Surprisingly, I didn't get my eyes clawed out.

Faye nodded in response, laughing at my comment. Then I saw Persephone walk up, also vaguely resembling a very old rag, rubbing her eyes. She plopped down next to Drew and piled food onto her plate without a word.

"Seph—" Faye started.

"I don't want to hear it." She mumbled a bit sharply and went back to her food. "Pretend I'm not here please, so I can eat my food in peace."

She was in quite a state. She didn't even glance a third time (only twice) when the Marauders filtered into the Dining Hall. They swaggered right down to a spot about fifteen feet from us.

Sirius stopped in front of us and smiled charmingly. "Alright, ladies?"

Drew gave him the finger with her head still on the table while the rest of us answered politely.

After slowly moving his eyes away from Drew, he looked at Gretchen. "Gretch, mind if I have a word?"

She nodded, "Sure," and mouthed I'll be right back to the rest of us as she grabbed a peach with her.

Drew lifted her head slowly and watched them walk out into the corridor, speaking to each other rapidly.

"What d'you suppose they're talking about?" Seph wondered aloud, voicing the look on Drew's face.

"Come up for air, have you?" Faye stared at Drew.

She just gave us all dirty looks and dropped her head again.

I looked over at James and wondered how I would approach letting him know about my new idea for the holidays without bragging and without making it incredibly awkward. Especially since I was fantastic at being awkward.

Then he caught me staring at him and I looked down at my food, beet red.

Idiot Idiot idiot.

"Well, I'm off." I stood.

"Mm." Faye stood as well. "I'll come with you, do you fancy going down to the lake?"

"Yeah, I'll bring my homework."

"Honestly, Lily." Faye brushed crumbs off her skirt. "You don't always have to study. Why don't we relax, or go for a run?"

"I just don't want to get behind." I protested.

She just shook her head and turned to Drew and Seph, an unhappy looking couple. "Bye you two…get some rest."

They ignored her and we walked up the row and through the door.

Once outside of the Dining Hall, we saw Gretchen and Sirius leaning against a stained glass window speaking as rapidly as before.

"Hey!" Gretchen flagged us down, Sirius looked startled at the sight of us. "You're not leaving me with tweedle mean and tweedle hangover, are you?"

I nodded solemnly, unable to keep the smile off my face.

"I hate you." She said.

"We're going down to the lake, join us when you're done." I replied.

She nodded and went back to talking to Sirius.

As we got outside, Faye spoke up. "They looked a bit funny didn't they?"

"Oh, you know Gretchen, she's very helpful." I reasoned. "She's probably tutoring him, or helping him get a girl."

Faye nodded. "But I thought he fancied Drew."

I shrugged and started jogging and she followed suit.

After our run, I felt refreshed and happy. Maybe I should start listening to loony (Faye) and do some of her yoga-type hippie things more often. While she was getting ready in the dorms, I decided to wander around the lake some more alone.

I dropped down by the grass near the Quidditch pitch to rest after nearly dying of thirst from the run. I saw a team practicing, zooming along the posts, weaving between bludgers.

When my eyes focused properly, I saw a male walk out hand in hand with a petite blonde girl.

Please don't be James, please don't be James, please don't be—

Oh shite.

Harold.

I jumped up and ran behind a tree to spy on my ex boyfriend. Peeking through the branches, I saw him bend down to kiss the girl.

I knew it. It was Charlotte.

Feeling defeated, I kicked my way back to the castle and as far away from the pitch as possible. I mean sure, I was the one who cheated first, but had he been cheating all along? I was obviously right about his infatuation with Charlotte.

Ho hum. I decided to try to push it away from my mind, though I felt the tears stinging at the corners of my eyes.

Rubbing my face furiously, I forced my way through the portrait hole. Luckily there was no one in the common room so I decided to make my way up the stairs and lock myself in my room until classes Monday. Only someone stopped me at the foot of the stairs.

"Hey."

I paused at the bottom of the staircase to take a deep breath and do my best to look as though I was not crying. I turned around slowly to see James standing there. "Hi."

His face changed when he saw my reddened eyes. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," I tried to laugh it off. "I'm fine. What's up?"

"Have you been crying?" He asked.

"No." Bad lie.

What part of me being FINE does he not understand? If I say I'm bloody fine then I am BLOODY WELL FINE. Oh God, I feel like puking.

He took an awkward step toward me. "Well…I just thought since we have to present our ideas tomorrow we should get together to go over everything."

Of course. He was asking to be cordial. What he really needed was for me to be semi-sane (which frankly there are never any guarantees even on a normal day for me), so we wouldn't fail the winter project.

"Right." I said, snapping to. "Um, today isn't great for me, could we possibly meet tomorrow a few hours before the meeting with Slughorn?"

He nodded.

"So…" I wrung my hands nervously. "Is one alright? After lunch in the library?"

"Of course."

"Alright," I gave him a small smile, "See you then."

I turned to go and felt him touch my arm. I looked at him, seeing him still standing there. "Um…"

"Lily—"

"Well there you are Prongsie!" Sirius burst into the room, interrupting us.

James dropped his hand and looked down at his feet. "See you tomorrow."

"See you." I jabbed quickly and hopped up the stairs as fast as my feet could take me.

Once I got to my bed, I fell backwards onto it and lay there thinking about our exchange. On the one hand it was nice to have him being civil to me and actually acting as if he cared if I were upset. Yet the fact that it was fake hurt me more than the civility itself.

I would just have to get through this project and act tough. Maybe this whole Man-anizer idea would be too much for me right now.

A/N: Sorry this chapter was a little more serious. It's got to be serious sometimes people!

Let me know!