Disclaimer: None of the stuff that belongs to J.K. Rowling belongs to me.

A/N: So I really do feel awful. Like, I didn't even realise it had been so many months until I started copying and pasting all forty-eight chapters into my computer again for back up and the I realised how little I've written for this fic this year. And the year is ending. So yes, I feel awful. I really really need to get my shit together.

BUT FIVE HUNDRED REVIEWS. I cannot believe this fic has gotten five hundred reviews! Gosh, you guys are truly perfect. I don't even know what to say. Just, thank you. Thank you so much.

I don't even remember everything that has happened, so I can't really expect you to do so either, so here you go:

Here's a little reminder: Emmeline's been cut out from the group, everyone knows Remus is a werewolf, Remus and Blaire broke up, Marlene and Sirius were together, broke up and now he wants her to tell him that she loves him, Marlene's Dad returned home after abandoning the family for years, Lily's parents died, nothing seems to work out for Alice and Frank, Marlene was sexually "harassed" by Mulciber and Avery but saved by Mary, Mary was later attacked by Mulciber, Lily and James started somewhat a secret relationship, Marlene and Mary got in a fight, Marlene made a deal with Avery and Emmeline has a secret.

Chapter 49

Marlene McKinnon, Emmeline Vance, Mary Macdonald, Lily Evans, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black

Marlene McKinnon

It's been a week. And life has gone on incredibly normally, considering. It's almost like there's nothing up. But the fact remains that there is always something up when it comes to me.

Mary hasn't spoken to me since she snapped and walked out on me. Or out on our friendship.

Honestly, I don't get why she gets to be so angry.

Everyone's making a big deal out of the 'Mulciber and Avery accident', I get it. It's a big deal, but it's my deal and if I'm over it, why aren't they?

Besides, Avery and I made a deal. And I made it willingly so whatever he's planning I'll just have to go with it. Mary's opinion on shit won't change it.

"Marlene," Alice snaps her fingers, finally managing to get my attention. She points a finger at the window. "Isn't this your parents' owl?"

She's right, Mum's owl is outside the window wanting to get in and I sigh as I let her. A letter from my mother cannot be good.

It's a quiet day in the dormitory, Lily's doing something Head Girl-y and Alice is studying. Emmeline hasn't been about for ages, probably stays at the Slytherin dormitories or something and where Mary is I'm not completely sure.

Moving to sit on my bed, back against the wall, I run my finger over the letter. It has my name on it, written with mum's fine red ink and I wonder if I really do wan't to open it or if easier would be just to leave it.

But eventually I can't just leave it and rip it open in a single movement, tearing a little bit of the letter itself as I do so, whoops.

Dear Marlene,

We haven't really gotten a chance to talk about everything that happened this summer, and I'm sure you agree that it was very chaotic and a lot of stuff went badly when they shouldn't have. This is why your father and I think it's really important that you consider coming home for Christmas break. I know it's a long time till Christmas, so you'll have plenty of time to think. But it has been truly a while since we spent Christmas together as a family. It would be a good familiar feeling to do that again, like old times, wouldn't it?

Looking forward to your owl

Love, your mother.

Is it possible to smell it from a letter when someone's being fake?

Groaning, I crumble the letter and throw it on the nightstand.

Alice looks up, raising her eyebrows. "Not a good one?" she asks.

"No." I reply and shrug my shoulders. "Just Mum. Wanting me home for Christmas."

"That doesn't sound too bad."

"You haven't met my Mum." If she would've been Mare, she would've understood. Mary knows how my mother is and she knows about everything she made me and my siblings go through. And she knows what Dad did and how he is. And she can relate. Alice comes from a picture-perfect family, I think, with no worries and only love and that's why she isn't fucked up like the rest of us.

"Don't you miss your parents?" Alice questions, barely looking up from her book. Honestly, I think she's mad at me too. But she doesn't quite hold grudges like Mare.

"Not really." I respond, truthfully.

"I miss mine, a lot." replies Alice, flipping a page.

"Mine aren't worth missing."

"You'd miss them if you didn't have them, Marlene. Just think about Lily, and what she's had to go through."

Guilt tripping? Nice Alice.

"That's not fair. You can't say that."

"Yes I can, what have your parents done to you? Honestly Marlene you're being ridiculous. Your mum misses you and you're being awful-"

"My mum blamed me for my Dad walking out on us! Do you not remember fourth year?"

That shuts her up and she closes her book, sighing loudly. "I'm sorry, Marlene." she says after a while. "I don't know what is up with me, I've been in a really bad mood lately." she bites her lip. "I shouldn't assume everything is good with your parents, I'm really sorry."

I hate it when people apologise. Especially when it's sickly sincere like this, then I can't be angry at her.

I shrug. "It's fine. Everyone's angry at me anyway."

Alice sighs again. "You and Mary are going to make up in no time."

I shrug again. "All we do is fight and then talk about the fact that all we do is fight. It's not like we're gonna be friends forever."

Alice looks at me, her big eyes wide open. "Why do you say that?"

"I mean all of us. You, me, Lily, Mary, James, Sirius, Remus, Peter… We've already lost Emmeline. We can't make it through school and real life as friends, or at least I don't think we can. Are we honestly going to have school-drama out there in real life? With a war waiting to start?"

Alice bites her lip. "But… We're supposed to be… friends."

"Forever?"

She looks at her feet.

"You'll keep in touch with us all, for sure, maybe we'll even meet up every now and then. We'll be acquaintances. Not friends."

"I think you're wrong." Alice folds her arms. "We always end up fixing each other."

I shrug, but say nothing. I bet you're wrong.

Emmeline Vance

After weeks of not being sure if I had any friends or not. I finally managed to accept it. I wasn't really a Gryffindor anymore.

I didn't sleep in the Gryffindor dormitory and I didn't talk to any Gryffindors. The only Gryffindor thing about me were my Gryffindor robes.

I spent my free time with Slytherins, who even if they'd angered me a lot in the past, they were still better than the lot in Gryffindor.

But I had to admit, it was still a bit hard to listen to them discuss my former friends. Though, the topic of the day was Marlene McKinnon. And I really don't care what happens to her.

"So what is your master plan with McKinnon?" Valerie wants to know, leaning over the table.

Avery laughs at that. "Do you really reckon I should share it with you?"

The girl pouts. "C'mon, if it's truly brilliant I'm not going to tell anyone," she whines.

The other people currently seated at their table which was positioned in the back of the Slytherin Dormitory, watch amusedly, but all of them are curious as well.

Avery has kept the detail of how he was going to claim what Marlene McKinnon owed him, very secret.

Sighing, the dark haired boy leans back. "Well," he stars, the others straighten up, itching to hear what he is about to tell us. "I want to do something that'll cause the most chaos between the Gryffindors, isn't that what we wanted?"

This is met with 'yes' and cheers and a few nods.

"First I thought I could ruin whatever she has with Black," he spits his name out, causing Desirée to giggle and Yaxley to grin. "Which you've told us about," he spares me a glance. "-Vance, but you said they weren't really together anymore."

"They're good at breaking themselves up," I say, my voice even and normal. It had taken a while for me to get over being nervous around the Slytherins. Especially the males. But eventually, I'd gotten over it.

"So I figured that wouldn't be enough. We wan't to destroy them all." continues Avery.

"And?" Valerie pushes, grinning from ear to ear.

"Snape." replies Avery, a grin spreading over his face.

My eyes wander over the table, looking for the boy in question, but he is absent.

"Snape?" repeats Yaxley, eyebrows raised.

"Yup," Avery smirks. "That way we get to Black, Potter and Evans. And with Evans come the rest of the females and with Potter and Black the rest of the males. It'll be war."

"I don't understand," Valerie says, eyebrows furrowing. "What are you gonna do with Snape?"

"I'm going to ask McKinnon to shag Snape." replies Avery easily.

There is a silence.

And then; "What?" I manage out. "What will that do-?"

"They all hate Snape," responds Avery. "It'll start a war against McKinnon. They'll take sites and they'll ruin their friendship."

I'm not sure if I understands him, all of this just to ruin their friendship? Why was ruining a friendship between the Gryffindors so important? Not that I minded, it was good revenge.

"She's not going to accept." Says Valerie, skeptically.

"She has to." Avery replies. "We had a deal."

"What about Snape?" Yaxley raises his eyebrows.

"She's a bird," points Avery out, meeting a grin from Yaxley. "Gryffindor or not, would you not?" he gives him a pointed look which is met by a loud laugh and nod from Yaxley.

"She is disgustingly fit," Valerie agrees, though albeit reluctantly.

"A shag is a shag," agrees Desirée,

"Is there anything more to this plan?" I ask.

"I'm quite certain the Gryffindors will take care of ruining their own lives with my little push," Avery shrugs. "And if not… We have Regulus."

Mary Macdonald

So, being mad at Lene sucks.

Honestly, I really just want to talk to her, I have so much stuff to share with her! No-one else wants to listen to my gossip, it's horrible! I guess I could go to Veronica or some other Ravenclaws but I wan't Lene.

It's probably just because I'm angry and that's why I miss her.

But I'm not going to just stop being angry if she refuses to look the truth in the eye! … Isn't that how that saying goes?

Honestly, her life is fucked up and she's just fucking it up more if she ignores the fact.

Maybe I should go talk to Sirius. But Sirius is impossible to talk to and we're kind of friends now so getting angry at him too, would suck as well.

I'm just so tired of this, it's making me want to puke. And me puking isn't good at all.

Maybe, I need help. Mum used to go to this shrink. Maybe that's what I need. Does the magical world even have shrinks?

I can't ask Alice or someone, they'll freak out on me.

Ugh, why does life suck? I swear it didn't suck this much in fifth year. And third year was actually pretty good!

I really need to talk to Lene. I really want to tell her about this bloke I snogged. Gosh was he fit. He's a hufflepuff though I think. And I have this really bad feeling that he's like a fifth year of something. Does that make me a baby pervert?

Lene would have an answer to that.

But no.

Angry.

I wonder what Reg's doing… No. Bad Mary. Who cares about Reg? Cattermole. He doesn't deserve to be called 'Reg'.

… I really don't understand what I did wrong. I mean, we went on like two dates and then he didn't want me anymore.

Am I not pretty enough for him?

Cos, he could do so much worse than me.

He's not even that fit himself, honestly.

I'm totally out of his league.

Aren't I?

Lene would know.

Lily Evans

"James," he's grinning at me and I can't stop myself from grinning back. It's not even funny how cute he is when he does that.

I used to hate his grins, always so arrogant and screaming at you that he'd done something he's not supposed to. Like a small kid.

But, it's perfect on him right now. When he's so happy.

"Lily," he responds, smile growing wider and I just want to kiss him again.

That's what he does to me! I, Lily Evans, didn't used to snog boys. But now I've been snogging James Potter for over two weeks and I cannot stop. I just want to do it all the time.

So, I've been lying to my friends that I've got 'Head Girl' stuff to take care of, while James and I sneak off to snog!

I don't even believe I do that.

I used to scold Mary and Marlene for doing that.

"You're thinking," James says, his voice slightly accusing. "I thought we weren't going to think about anyone else but each other?" he raises his eyebrows. "What are you thinking about?"

I bite my lip. "I don't know. Us. My friends. Lying to them about us."

"You're the one that doesn't want to tell them," he reminds me, and I wonder if it's hurt I hear in his voice.

He leans towards me, placing a short kiss on my lips and I melt.

What is it with this boy?

A minute ago I hated him!

"Have you changed your mind?"

"I don't know."

He grins again. "It won't be the end of the world."

Groaning I pull away from him. "I'm pretty sure it just might be."

He laughs, shaking his head. "I'm pretty sure it won't, Evans."

"Lily."

"Evans."

"Potter."

"Are you suggesting your name is Lily Evans Potter? A bit fast there-Ow!"

I hold my hand out, wanting my book back.

"You threw it at me!" James shakes his head.

"You deserved it! And I need it back, we're studying!"

We really were. Trying to study at least.

He shakes his head again but holds it out for me anyway. "I like this kind of studying. Sirius never did this with me."

I roll my eyes at him. "You're gross."

He grins. "Thank you."

It's awful what he does to me, truly, truly awful. And then still I never want him to stop.

He tilts his head.

"So?"

"I don't know," I say again, folding my arms.

"How about 'yes'?"

"James…"

"We could make it official by going to Hogsmeade together."

"James…"

"I'm asking you out, Evans."

"But-"

"You can snog me but not ate me?" he raises his eyebrows, a teasing smile spreading over his lips. "Wow, I feel cheap-"

"Fine!"

Silence.

"Fine?"

"Yes. Fine."

He's grinning again and I wonder if I'm way too easy or if it's just him.

Remus Lupin

Sirius keeps saying I'm depressed. But he can't be right, can he?

I'm not depressed.

I've just been having a bad week.

A bad month.

A bad year.

Maybe I'm depressed.

Fine! I'm depressed. What's not to be depressed about? I'm a fucking teenage werewolf and I'm going to take the biggest exams of my life soon and I used to have a girlfriend and now I don't anymore and all I do is fight with people and I'm supposed to be nice and civil and I've started swearing.

Next thing I'll know I'll be failing everything and becoming a prostitute.

"Sirius, I'm depressed." falling back on the bed I sigh.

Sirius looks a little victorious. "So I keep telling you mate, now you just need to stop being depressed."

I sigh again. "You're depressed too."

"No, I really am not." Sirius shakes his head.

"Fine, you're angry all the time."

"I've always been like that," Sirius points out. "I'm quite happy now. Though I'd be happier if Peter hadn't fallen asleep in the middle of our chess game and James wasn't doing fucking Head Boy shit and we could do something fun instead, you know, to undepress you.

"There's nothing called undepressed."

"Sure there is!"

"You make me depressed."

Sirius gasped. "Moony!" he placed a hand over his heart. "You my feelings hurt."

"You hurt my brain," I reply.

"You've gotten so snarky," Sirius chuckles. "I like it, you've learned something from me. I'm actually touched."

"Shut up."

"Reeeeeeeemus," he whines. "It's nice and all that you admit to having a problem, but stop being so depressing. Be happy! Let's have a drink! I'm really fancying a drink."

"It's five on a bloody wednesday."

"This is why you're depressed."

Rolling my eyes at him I sit up again. "I just… Can I go talk to Blaire?"

Sirius sighs loudly. "No."

"No?"

"Blaire makes you depressed! Depressed is bad. We're making you happy remember. Girls are not needed for happiness."

"Is that why we're not talking to Marlene?"

"Ah, but Marlene's got nothing to do with your depression."

"I want to say that you've no idea and that maybe we're in love but last time you thought I'd said I'd shagged her you tried to kill me so I won't."

Sirius scowled for a moment, but then his face broke into a grin again. "You're hilarious my friend. But I really don't care, McKinnon's in my past. And your past and James' past and everyone's past really. And we're not digging up the past. Unless it has lots of alcohol."

"You need help."

"I'd rather be an alcoholic than depressed like you!" Sirius grinned.

I groan again. "If we exclude alcohol, what can we do to get me in a good mood?"

Sirius thinks about it for a while and then his smirk spreads over his face again. And honestly, it terrifies me.

"I know just the thing."

Sirius Black

So everyone's been a bit of out it for a while. James has been acting quite strangely and spending very little time with us, but that's probably just because of Head Boy stuff and I don't even know. I don't really blame the bloke for not wanting to hang around depressed people.

Apparently, the girls are having drama as well or so says Peter because Macdonald grabbed him one evening and cried her soul out to him. Or something, it sounds scarring so I've been keeping my distance.

Also, I'm pretty sure McKinnon's really pissed off at me. I guess asking her to tell me how she feels about me after everything we've been through is not counted as nice.

But since when have I been able to do the nice thing?

I'm just fucking tired of everyone being depressed.

So I'm going to fix them.

Or well, Remus at least. I'm starting with Remus. I don't know how to fix girls.

Nor do I really want to. It sounds complicated.

Though, Remus is being a bit of a girl. And we need to change that. He's seventeen, he doesn't get to be a little depressed girl anymore.

So I figured I'd take him flying.

I personally did think it was a brilliant idea.

He doesn't seem to agree with that. Honestly, he threw a fit.

Apparently heights aren't his things.

How can heights not be your thing? How can flying not be your thing? Getting far away from this bloody earth and all your drama and depression disappearing for a while. It's perfect!

But no, Remus Lupin does not agree.

I did get him on the broom though, I mean he did learn how to fly in first year, how hard could it be? But apparently he's not very good at it. Seeing as he flew into one of the towers of the Quidditch pitch.

Honestly, how can we be friends?

"You broke my leg!" Remus says accusingly and I frown at him.

"No, you flew into a tower and broke your leg."

"I didn't want to go flying!"

"It's not like I carried you on that broom!"

"You tried!"

"Yeah, but I failed so you got on it willingly!" I pout a little as Remus continues to glare at me.

He wraps his arm around my shoulder anyway, though. I guess he's in pain, because he grimaces.

"Maybe it's not broken," I point out as he hops and I walk closer towards the castle, trying to keep him standing up.

"It hurts like it's bloody broken."

I try not to grin at that. "If it's broken you can punch me," I promise, grin growing wider.

"I'm going to keep you to that." Remus narrows his eyes.

At least he's not thinking about Blaire.

That counts as a success, right?

A/N: So, this definitely wasn't worth a five month wait. But next chapter Avery's plan goes into action and there's a lot of emotional stuff and complicatedness following that. SO NEXT CHAPTER EXCITING YES?

For you guys to wonder: Will Marlene do it? Will Snape do it? How will the others react? Is that all Avery wants? Will James and Lily go public? How will the others react to that? Why is Emmeline such a bitch? Is Emmeline a bitch? Is Remus's leg broken? Am I ever going to remember updating?

Reviews are sunshine and roses and you guys showing me you still read so I'll want to update.

I LOVE YOU.