Lily's third day of summer had so far been no better than her second. She had gotten up early again and made pancakes in the kitchen for breakfast. Now she was sat doing her holiday assignment for defence against the dark arts. She'd heard no word from any of her friends, and she couldn't send them a letter as her owl was out hunting.

Lily yawned, folding her parchment up.
"Lily! There's a bloody owl on my window sill!"
Lily looked towards the sound of her sister's whiny voice. Petunia was standing at the top of the stairs in a purple dressing gown. Her hair was wet; she'd clearly just come from the shower.
"What do you want me to do about it?" Lily asked drearily.
"It's got some sort of paper in its mouth. That's how your lot send your mail, right?"
Lily stood up, suddenly excited. It couldn't be Alice, Marlene or Hestia's owl; their birds knew where her room was. It was too soon for a Hogwarts letter…so who could it be?
She ran out of the room and past her sister, arriving in Petunia's large bedroom. Sure enough, a large tawny owl was banging its beak on the windowpane. Lily rushed and opened it. The owl flew over and settled itself on Petunia's pillow, dropping the letter.
Petunia looked on in disgust at the bird. It was sitting up right; with its beak in the air…it looked almost…arrogant.
How can an owl look like that?
Lily giggled slightly as she picked up the letter. The handwriting was unfamiliar. She tore the envelope and opened up the note.

Dear Evans,
I'm asking you-nicely-what you did to Prongs on the train the other day.
He's been acting strange and distinctly like a moody teenage girl.
(No offence.)
It's getting rather annoying.
My gorgeous owl will not leave until you write back.
Lot's of love and good hair,
Sirius Black.

Lily read over the letter a few times, a frown etched onto her face. James really was upset about the…uh…kiss?
She'd figured he'd get over it by snogging a couple girls and drinking a gallon or two of Firewhiskey.
Apparently not.
Lily picked up her quill and a spare piece of paper. She scribbled a short note onto it. The weird owl had its leg out, looking distinctly bored.

Black,
Shouldn't you be asking Potter what's wrong with him?
How should I know?
Lily.

She attached the note, and immediately the owl took off. She watched as it soared over the clouds and out of view. Petunia was looking aghast by the door.
"Lily I just changed those sheets!"
Lily raised her eyebrows. "So?"
"Now I have to do it again! That animal sat on them! You know Vernon is allergic to birds."
Lily snorted and walked out of the room. She returned to the living room, excitement short-lived. If one sodding letter from Sirius Black was the highlight of her day, she was in for a long summer.

Approximately two hours later, Lily got a reply.

Evans, wow.
Prongs told me everything, so don't bother denying it.
He kissed you! The bloody idiot kissed you!
I'm still laughing, don't mind me.
Anyway, that explains his rotten mood.
How was the kiss? Tell Uncle Sirius all the hot gossip.
More love and laughter,
Sirius.

Lily laughed at the note. If Sirius knew, then surely Remus and Peter did too. Perhaps she should tell the girls.
She was the only one in the house, Petunia was with Vernon yet again and Mr and Mrs Evans were out for lunch.
She sat cross-legged on the floor and replied to her fellow Gryffindor.

Black.
Yes, laugh all you want. It really isn't that funny.
Honestly.
Tell Potter not to be embarrassed, I'll try and forget that little incident.
And no! I'm not telling you how it was.
Still hate you,
Lily.

She sent the owl off again, and decided to eat something. Lily made a sandwich and sat down, thoroughly bored out of her mind. She could hardly wait for Sirius's reply.
Merlin, how sad was that?

Evans,
Oh okay.
James is still moping around. Maybe you should write him?
Just an idea.
The ridiculously handsome Sirius Black.

Lily sighed. Should she? What would she even say?
The day had been completely boring and Lily already wished she were back at school.
At least there she had something to do all of the time. All she wanted to do was get out of the house, see some of her school friends.

Potter.
James.
Black told me to write you to tell you to stop being a silly arse.
Enjoy your bloody summer!
If you want, maybe you four could meet Alice, Marlene, Hestia and I in Diagon Alley?
Say whatever day. I'm so bored out of my mind and it's only been three days.
Look, what I mean to say is…maybe we could be friends?
Lily.

The moment she'd sent the letter off, Lily regretted it.
What if he said yes? Would she actually have to go?
Merlin, spend the day with the marauders? She'd rather spent a week with Vernon and Petunia.
…Well, maybe that was taking it a little far.

James didn't reply until the next day.

Lily,
I don't mind.
James.

How eloquent.
Three words.
She'd waited a whole day, for three bloody words.
Not even three good words!
Her owl had arrived back that morning, so Lily sent her off with letters to Hestia, Marlene and Alice, asking if they fancied a fun day out with the marauders.

The replies were so similar it was comical.

Lily,
Is that really you?
The marauders?
Are you serious? (No pun intended.)
Love Alice.

Lil's,
Er, what?
Who is this? Why have you got Lily Evan's owl?
I'm confused.
Hestia.

EVANS WHAT THE HELL?
The MARAUDERS?
HAVE YOU GONE MAD?
…but yeah, sure I'll go.
Marlene.

Lily had to send back three replies, explaining that no one had kidnapped her and she hadn't gone insane (yet).
Alice still seemed unconvinced, but they all agreed to go.
Lily owled James, asking to meet tomorrow at half 12 outside Florean's Ice cream parlour.

An hour later, he replied.

All right then.

That boy really had a way with words.