She thought her life was over – but fate gave her another chance, in a world of magic. Now, running around Hogwarts with James Potter and his friends, she's about to make choices that will change the future in ways she never thought possible…

Marauder's Phase

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

St. Valentine's Day

I had been at Hogwarts for three months and, for a month and a bit, I had been Sirius Black's girlfriend.

Yes. It was official. We were getting closer and closer, talking more and, yes, kissing more. He held my hand nearly everywhere we went, and I never felt like a fool in front of him. It felt like the entire school knew before we'd even gotten inside the grounds on that first night back and, for those who missed it, they certainly found out about it on St. Valentine's Day.

"There's going to be a dance in Hogsmeade this weekend," Lily announced as we got ready for the day. Serilda, whom had been sick for a few weeks, had gotten back late the night before and was still in bed, but we didn't bother to keep our voices down. "I overheard some of the Ravenclaw girls talking about it yesterday."

"Well, I'm going with Arthur Weasley," Molly said immediately, and I smiled behind my jumper. "What about you Alice, are you going with Frank?"

"Probably," Alice said, with a smile in her voice. "I'll have to ask him. What about you Lily? Got anyone special to go with?"

Lily turned the colour of her hair. "N-no…I wasn't planning on going."

"You should ask James." I said immediately, and Lily looked like she'd just swallowed an ear-wax flavoured bean. "Well why not? Listen, Lils, he's not as arrogant as you think – he's really a half-way decent guy, you just don't see that because he's always showing off." I explained, as I struggled into my grey socks.

"Yeah, and I'll just be one more thing he can show off about." Lily said, sighing.

I looked up, startled. "Is that what you're worried about?" I asked her. "Lily, listen to me and listen good – James Potter is utterly devoted to you. He's not what he seems, there's more to him than meets the eye! He truly cares about you, you won't regret it if you get to know him, I guarantee it – oh my God, I swear to heaven itself, on my twin brother's grave, that you and James are the perfect couple."

"What twin brother!?" Lily cried, startled.

I gasped. I hadn't meant to say that. In truth, I've never told anyone about that, except Lillyana. But, in truth…I once had a twin brother. But he died, you see…

I hadn't told anyone but Lillyana about this, not even Sirius, who'd watched me pat one of the school Thestrals the night we returned to Hogwarts. I just didn't feel like telling anyone this…we'd only been young when he…

"It's not important," I said quickly. I wished someone would change the subject. I hate talking about my twin brother.

And then, miraculously, someone did. Serilda, who had apparently been awake all this time, sat up and sneered at me. "So, gonna spend the evening crying up here in the dorm because you don't have somebody to go with?" She swung her legs out of bed and began to get dressed, as we all exchanged a glance. "I mean, who in their right mind would take you? You're not even pretty?" For some reason, I refrained from hexing her, probably knowing what was coming. "You're not smart, you haven't got any talents," She continued up as we made our way down the stairs toward the common room. "And you haven't even got a nice figure." She added, eyeing me critically as I walked into the common room with a red face.

Alice giggled suddenly. "Why don't we ask Sirius Black about that?" She asked, as my face turned even redder.

Serilda stopped. "Why would we do that?"

Molly nudged me and asked: "So…have you two done it yet?"

"M-Molly!" I gasped. "Siri and I are under-aged…we're not…"

"Oh, so you've considered it then, have you?" Alice grinned.

"What the hell are you three talking about!?" Serilda fairly screamed, just as footsteps could be heard coming from the boys dorms upstairs and, a second later, James slid down the banister, with Peter hurrying along on the stairs beside him.

"Evans!" James said, landing with a flourish before her. He handed her a single red rose that he'd gotten from God knows where, and smiled radiantly at her. "Happy Valentine's Day." He told her.

Lily glanced quickly at me and, seemingly remembering what I'd said about James, she said quickly: "Goodmorning." And took the rose. She sniffed it. "Hey…does this have strawberry fragrance on it? It's…lovely…" She smelled it again, her face clearly showing that she liked the gift (which was probably a never-dying flower).

James' face lit up like a Christmas tree, as Remus came down the stairs, and smiled politely at all of us, greeting us five girls individually.

Suddenly, we heard running footsteps, and then they stopped because Sirius had launched himself into the air at the foot of the stairs.

"Yikes!" Molly and Alice cried, jumping out of the way and James yanked Lily out of the way by her arm, as Sirius landed on me, and we both fell to the floor.

Sirius sprung up immediately, dragging me up by my arm, and pulled me into the warmest, tightest hug yet.

"Happy Valentine's Day, my love!" He said to me, loud enough for the entire Gryffindor tower to hear, before kissing me.

My face must've looked like a stop light, as we pulled away and I managed to say: "W-what's gotten into you this morning!?"

"Nothing!" He said, grinning. "It's just the day I get to – openly – celebrate my love for you!"

"Never stopped you before." I muttered, putting my hand on his face and tilting my head, looking wonderingly into his eyes. "Not that I care." I added, as we headed for the portrait hole but, not before I enjoyed the immense look of shock on one Serilda Roans.

But not more than I enjoyed the box of peppermint chocolates from Sirius.

"Oh my God Siri, I love you!"

"I know."