Hello all, I'm really sorry about the super long delay considering I promised to update as much as possible...my laptop decided to go wacky on me again and I've been having a really hard time with it. Unfortunately, my laptop can't access webpages at all, so I now have to update fanfiction via my friend's computer (so, you should all thank Queen of the Moonlit Tears!!! lol) so it will take me longer to update you all. Sorry for the waiting you guys have done.

Warnings: well...all I can say is that it is rated M for a reason...when the story starts to get really racy, I'll give you a warning in the story itself...but, well...anyway.../shrugs/

Disclaimer: I don't own anything other than the plot, and the original characters/spells/places...

ENJOY!!!!

Chapter Eight: Relationships…Taken, Taken, Single, Taken…

~James & Lily-Age fifteen~

~Ron & Karin-Age sixteen~

Karin

"Silhouette," Karin panted as she pushed at Silhouette's shoulders. The other girl grinned devilishly, ignoring Karin's half-hearted protests. Silhouette pushed Karin against her bed, kissing her neck and shoulders. Karin bit her lip, her hands grasping Silhouette's shoulders.

"Sweet Merlin, Silhouette!" Karin groaned when Silhouette's hands began to explore. Silhouette pulled back, smiling happily.

"Yes, my love?" Silhouette cooed sweetly. Karin blushed and shook her head, pulling Silhouette to her for a kiss before Karin sat up.

"Sorry, Silhouette, but I don't think I'm ready to go that far."

Silhouette smiled and kissed Karin, nodding in understanding. "It is fine, darling. …Hmm, perhaps we should get back to that homework?"

Karin nodded and laughed, watching as Silhouette grabbed their school bags and set them down.

"Off to Potions land!" Karin cheered sarcastically. Silhouette laughed and the two began their essay.

Lily

Lily stared out the window of the library sullenly. Gabe and Kitsune argued next to her. She wanted to go and visit Jason, but he was in his own common room with his girlfriend. Lily glanced at Gabe, and she noticed that his gaze was once again on her even though he was arguing with Kitsune. Kitsune noticed as well.

"Lily, do you think Karin and Silhouette are dating? I don't, but Gabe here does," Kitsune asked casually. Lily stared at them, her eyes slightly wide.

"Is that what you were honestly arguing over? That is none of your business…"

Gabe blushed and he shook his head. "No, we were actually arguing over whether or not I should come out of the closet."

Lily tilted her head to the side, honestly confused. She had been certain that Gabe liked her, what with the hours he spent staring at her since their first year. Kitsune laughed, as did Gabe.

"No, we were actually arguing over who the teacher retiring at the end of this year is." Kitsune said.

Lily laughed, smiling at her friends. Gabe smiled back and Lily signaled for Kitsune to leave.

"Ah, rats, I forgot something back in my common room. I'll be back you two."

"Okay," Gabe said as he watched Kitsune jump up and leave them alone. He looked at Lily, wondering what was going on.

"Gabe, I'm about to do something that I spent a lot of time wondering if it'd be a good idea…and I just confused myself…ah, yeah. So, I'm…going to shut up and just do it," Lily mumbled out. She blushed and Gabe just stared at her, even more confused. She stood from her chair, walked over to his, sat in his lap, and kissed him.

Gabe, surprised, kissed her back, pulling her closer to him. After a few minutes, they pulled away and Lily blushed harder.

"Whoa," Gabe gasped as he stared at Lily in astonishment. She smiled and leaned against him, her head resting on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and sighed happily.

"I noticed your stares, and I realized how I felt about you," Lily explained. Gabe hugged her closer, smiling.

"I'm glad you feel the same way. I was worried about our friendship, I didn't want to destroy it, and so I was too afraid to say anything."

"No need to now."

Gabe nodded in agreement. Lily kissed his cheek.

"Oh, and if you really are curious…Karin and Silhouette have been dating since their third year."

Ron

Ron watched as Yoko cuddled with his boyfriend. Ron wanted to beat his head against the wall for not asking Yoko out a long time ago. Yoko had grown tired waiting for Ron. And now Ron had to wait for Yoko, if Yoko still wanted to be with him if (though Ron always told himself when) Yoko became single once more.

"Ron, why don't you get yourself a girlfriend?" Ashton, Yoko's boyfriend, asked none too politely. Yoko smacked him and pouted.

"Be nice to my friend, Ashton."

"I don't like girls," Ron replied. Yoko looked at him, his eyes widening slightly. Ashton smirked and pulled Yoko closer to him. Ron rolled his eyes and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Yoko asked. Ron turned and smiled tightly.

"I think I'll let you two have some alone time," Ron replied before he walked away from them. He bit his lip to stop the pained whimper that wanted to escape. He absolutely hated himself, but he hated Ashton more.

Ron swore that Ashton only asked Yoko out because he knew that Ron liked Yoko, and Ashton and Ron didn't get along so well.

He walked through the corridors solemnly, regret swirling around him.

Ron came upon James a few hours later. His eyes were red and puffy, and there was a peculiar mark on his left cheek in the shape of a fist.

"James," Ron said softly. James looked up and gave a smile exactly like Harry's. "What happened," Ron demanded as he sat next to James.

"I pissed off Kokako earlier…apparently he has no qualms with violence. I wouldn't be surprised if he was an abusive boyfriend."

Ron started at the name and immediately thought of Yoko. "I'll kill that bastard," Ron growled.

"I'm fine, just a small bruise, no need to kill him…Kokako Ashton just has a bad temper."

"Well, at least I know how to make him miserable…Yoko won't like that his boyfriend is beating up younger years," Ron mumbled to himself. James rolled his eyes and sighed heavily.

"You know, Ron, I'm beginning to think that you really hate Kokako. If you don't watch it, you might end up marrying him and all…you know, like father and dad."

Ron stared at James like the blond had grown an extra head. "Right, because I'm secretly lusting after that bastard."

"You never know. Anyway, Ailbhe and the rest are probably looking for me," James said as he stood up.

Ron smiled up at him slightly. "Are you and Ailbhe together yet?"

James blushed and turned his head. "Not yet, but maybe sometime soon."

"Good luck with that," Ron said. James nodded and left Ron in the Astronomy Tower.

James

James ran into Kitsune on his way back to his friends. She blushed and lowered her gaze to the floor. "Hi James," she mumbled in a small voice.

"Hey Kitsune," James replied with a smile.

Kitsune looked up and returned his smile with her own small smile. "What are you up to?"

"Oh, nothing really, I'm just on my way to my common room. What are you up to, Kitsune?"

"Um…giving Lily and Gabe some alone time…" Kitsune replied timidly.

James tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"Uh…Lily explained to me…I…don't know if I'm allowed to tell you…ah…I don't even know how to explain…I…err…" Kitsune rambled nervously.

James laughed softly and put his hand on her shoulder. She jumped a little but didn't pull away. "Calm down…let me guess, okay?"

"Okay…"

"Hmm…Lily wanted some alone time with Gabriel? That means she planned on kissing him or something along those lines…am I right?"

Kitsune blushed and nodded. "He's liked her since first year…"

"I noticed that," James replied with good humor. Kitsune giggled and James blushed. He swallowed, glanced down the hall that led to the shortcut to the dungeons, and blinked rapidly. He was tired of waiting…and he really did like Kitsune too…

"James…"

"Kitsune…would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me for Valentine's Day?" James asked nervously.

"OH…ah…I…yeah, I would like to go with you…" Kitsune replied as her blush began to match the Gryffindor scarlet.

"I'm glad…" James murmured. He smiled and pulled her into a hug. She giggled nervously and returned his hug.

"I'm glad too," Kitsune whispered against his shoulder.

James pulled back and stared into her eyes for several seconds before he leaned down and kissed her. Kitsune froze for a few moments before she kissed him back, her eyes fluttering shut.