AN:/Hey guys, I really want to thank you again for the reviews! They mean so much and I love you all. Tell me, do you prefer shorter chapters like this with daily updates, or longer ones with maybe three or so days in between?(as they take longer to write) x

The next morning, Lily woke feeling strangely at ease. She stretched her arms over her head and yawned widely. The sun was splitting through her blinds, and there didn't seem to be a Petunia lurking about her wardrobe.
Lily sat up, thinking she'd maybe go downstairs and make some breakfast, maybe read a little, because she had nothing planned for the-
"CRAP."
Lily put her head in her hands. How had she completely forgotten? Today she was heading to Diagon Alley with the arse patrol.

Feeling thoroughly depressed and shocked at how fast her mood could drastically change; she stumbled over to the bathroom.
After a short shower, Lily dried her hair and got dressed. She looked in the mirror and attempted to smile.
Oh well.
The scowl seemed permanently etched onto her face.

Lily looked at the time. It was ten to twelve, and she was confused about where exactly the rest of her family were.
Downstairs in the kitchen she found a note, explaining that they had all gone out for breakfast and that they hadn't wanted to wake her.

How very considerate of them…must be something wrong.

Lily didn't think much on it though; her mind was too preoccupied with thoughts of James Potter. (Oh not like that, honestly.)
How awkward was it going to be? Merlin, what if Sirius mentioned it? The girls didn't even know!

She spent the rest of her time pacing around her house, biting her lip. When the time came when had to go, Lily walked outside to the road and stuck her wand arm out. The purple Knight Bus came whizzing around the corner immediately, and Lily paid her fee before clambering on.

The bus journey was uneventful apart from one elderly witch complaining loudly about how the vehicle wouldn't go underwater. She explained in great detail of how her friend's nephew was part grindylow, and they'd had plans together for the day. She left in a storm, shouting about how she'd be taking it up with the ministry.
Completely bonkers.

Lily stepped wearily onto the crowded alley, looking around. She spotted Alice sitting outside the popular ice cream shop, thankfully on her own. Lily made her way over and hugged her friend.
"Thank Merlin it's just you Al,"
Lily said. She was wringing her hands together. They were clammy and shaking.
"Why? You've been acting rather odd you know Lily. After your disappearance on the train," Lily yelped.
"And now inviting the marauders out for the day? We're all quite confused."
Lily breathed in deeply. Now was the time to tell her, right?

"Um, well Alice…I think I should tell you where I was on the train. It'll explain everything."
Alice nodded and held her hand up. "Go."
"I was in another closet with James Potter and we kissed."
Lily was bloody surprised at how calmly and rationally she'd said that.
Alice was bloody surprised for a whole other reason.
"Excuse me? You did what?!"
"Yeah, we kissed." Lily shrugged.
"OH MY MERLIN-"

"Now, now Alice. I know I may seem godly…but there's no need to call me Merlin."
Sirius Black was looking down at the two, winking.
With Remus and Peter in tow. He loudly pulled over three extra chairs, throwing himself into one. Alice was still looking wide-eyed, and seemed lost for words. Lily hastily stamped on her foot.
Alice jumped up and banged her knee on the table. The boys were looking at her very strangely, and she blushed crimson.
"What's up with you, Prewett?" Peter said, once again trying to act cool.
Alice looked down, shaking her head slightly.

"Where's J-James?" Lily asked.
Sirius smirked. "Oh, loverboy will be along. He was taking way too long looking at himself in the mirror, so we left without him."
Remus raised an eyebrow. "That is not the story. You were spending too long looking at yourself with the bathroom door locked, that James didn't have enough time to get ready." He looked over at Lily. "He told us to go on without him."
Lily nodded whilst Sirius stuck out his bottom lip. "My story was better." He said huffily. Everyone ignored him.

Around 10 minutes later, Hestia and Marlene arrived.
The small table was getting rather crowded, and after they'd all ordered their usual huge tubs of ice cream, there was barely enough room to move.
Alice still hadn't been able to form a proper sentence. She kept giving Lily strange looks with her mouth half open. It was quite disconcerting.
Finally, Alice looked at Marlene and Hestia.
"Come to the toilets with me!" She squeaked.
Lily moved to get up, but Alice shook her head. "Not you!"

The three other girls left, and Lily found herself alone with three boys. Sirius was throwing glacier cherries into his mouth whilst Peter looked on in awe. Remus was looking quite bored and rather tired.
Lily rolled her eyes as Sirius got another cherry into his mouth. Sirius looked over and caught the look.
"What, Evans? You're just jealous of my crazy cherry-throwing skills."
Lily scoffed. "That'll be something to tell your grandchildren then. Add it to your record of achievements why don't you?"
Sirius pouted. "You try then!"

Lily picked up on of the shiny fruits, staring at Sirius fiercely. She put her head back and threw the cherry. It landed at the back of her throat and of course she had to choke on it.
As she spluttered the three other boys laughed. Lily blinked the water away from her eyes. "Don't die Evans, Prongs would probably do something drastic." Sirius said slowly.
Lily snorted-so attractive-and picked up a large spoonful on strawberry ice cream. Sirius looked at it, and looked at his own, somehow understanding the unspoken challenge. He scooped up the same amount and the two simultaneously stuffed it into their mouths.
Sirius screwed his eyes up and shouted, "BRAINFREEZE!" spitting the contents of his mouth all over the tablecloth. Lily persevered; she was determined to beat Sirius Black.

"What the ruddy hell is going on here?"
Lily looked up at the newcomer.
Oh dear.
James was standing, frowning down at the group.
Lily became very aware of the melted ice cream dribbling all over her lips and down her chin. She quickly swallowed the ice cream and snatched up a napkin, wiping her mouth.
Sirius broke the tension, thankfully.
"Evans here, thought she could beat me in an ice cream contest."

James sat down, in the only available seat, which of course had to be next to hers. He seemed very tense, and Lily could see the day going rapidly downhill from here.
The girls returning only made things worse. Marlene looked once at Lily, then James and burst out laughing. Hestia was red-faced and grinning. Alice still looked like she'd been stunned.
James looked over at her awkwardly, and Lily focused on the remnants in her ice cream.
Her friends sat down again, but Marlene kept smirking at them, very obviously.

…This really was going to be a long day.