Thanks again to Jannice Sace for the review.

Previously...

The Gryffindors waited outside of the xylomancy classroom. There was only two other students taking the class besides the Gryffindors. The teacher called them in, asking them to take a seat. "Xylomancy is one of the many arts of divination. We will be spending the year analyzing pieces of burning wood."

The Gryffindors laughed slightly. They tried really hard to take it seriously but struggled immensely. "Remind me not to take divination as an elective," Alice whispered. Even Lily was failing to take the class seriously.

Chapter 22:

Friday morning went in a blur. The Gryffindors spoke of nothing else in History of Magic, Ancient Studies and Charms but the weekend. They completely ignored Professor Binns, didn't catch a word of what their ancient studies teacher told them about Ancient Egypt, or what Professor Flitwick said during charms class.

"I'm so excited about the weekend," Alice said.

"I know me too! This week's been a nightmare. I've never had so much homework at the beginning of the year." Kate remarked.

"I can't wait for Saturday," Lily commented quietly.

"I bet!" Marlene laughed, "Got a date with Trevor!"

"Give it a rest," Lily said as she blushed, "what are you guys going to do tomorrow?"

"Follow you around on your date..." Alice winked. "No seriously, me and Frank are going on a date of our own. It's the first chance we've had to spend time together without his mother's ever watchful eye."

The girls laughed, "what about the rest of you?"

"Probably just hang out by the lake," Kate said, "make the most of the sun before it goes away."

Marlene laughed gently, "besides we've got to hang out with James, Rachel and some of the marauders because James feels awkward with Rachel."

"James feels awkward?" Kate asked, "I don't get it. James never feels awkward with girls. We certainly never had that problem."

"Yeah, I don't get it either," Alice said, "but we have to help."

"I can't see it lasting to be honest," Marlene put in.

Lily laughed, "None of Potter's relationships last."

"Come on we better get to potions," Mary said.

"Argh, I've got to work with Potter!" Lily moaned.

"Quit your moaning!" Alice laughed.

"What did you do to it?" Lily asked angrily.

"Nothing," James said cautiously, "I was just following the instructions."

"Well don't touch anything and shut up," Lily frowned, "what the hell did you do?"

"Nothing!"

"That was a rhetorical question. Shut up."

James was sat in Transfiguration. He was incredibly bored. The rest of the class was still working on transforming their beetles into buttons. Professor McGonagall had told James that he could make a start on his homework. Sirius looked over at James, "so what was that with Evans in potions?"

"Nothing. She was just being a bitch!" James replied angrily.

"Evans a bitch? Never," Sirius joked.

"She was just angry because the potion wasn't right. So of course it was my fault…"

"Of course," Sirius laughed, "she really doesn't like you! I mean she dislikes me, but she hates you!"

"Thanks man," James replied sarcastically. "Did you hear try-outs are next week for Quidditch?"

"Yeah," Sirius smiled, "it's exciting right?"

"Yeah," James replied. "Have you been practicing?"

"A bit," Sirius laughed, "nowhere near as much as you though. You're a dead cert."

"Nah," James said running a hand through his hair, "there are a lot of good chasers out there."

The Gryffindors walked together to their frog choir rehearsal. "Did anyone think to ask how long we have to take these extra classes for?" James asked, suddenly fearful that they would have to take them for the rest of the year.

"No," Remus said, "but to be honest I'm scared to ask… just in case she makes it longer because we asked."

"Yeah, Minnie would do that," James replied. There were several students gathered together in the Great Hall waiting for Choir to begin. One girl looked particularly disgruntled by their presence.

"I can't believe they are using Frog Choir as a punishment. Seriously, we are very talented and have earned the privilege to be in this choir, awful practices, terrible auditions, learning latin… I bet they can't sing fluently in Latin!"

"Hello choir," Professor Flitwick smiled as he made his way into the Great Hall, "ah new members. Welcome! Welcome! You have a lot to learn – but I'm sure you'll catch up!" The Gryffindors joined the other students.

"Right, we are going to practice two songs today. The first I want us to perform at the welcoming feast next September. I know it's ages away but you can never be too prepared."

The choir began to sing, "Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble."

The Gryffindors tried to join in but Peter was singing out of key and James and Sirius couldn't help but laugh at their friend. "What's so funny boys?" Flitwick asked.

"Nothing sir," James and Sirius answered in unision.

"Cut it out then,"

They continued practicing. Most of the Gryffindors sounded quite good but Peter sounded dreadful, "Oh Merlin what's that sound?" Professor Flitwick asked.

"Someone," the girl from earlier said pointedly, "is singing flat, sir."

"I can tell that, Louise!" Flitwick replied. "My dear boy," he said to Peter, "could you sing slightly quieter."

"Or maybe just mime?" Louise asked.

"I hate her," Sirius whispered to James, "let me hex her."

James laughed, "later. Flitwicks watching!"

After dinner, James and Sirius followed Louise out of the Great Hall, "Oi Louise!" Sirius called. James was hiding under the invisibility cloak next to him.

Louise turned around, "W-what do you want?" She blushed slightly.

"I was wondering if you could help me practice that song In Noctem, you know the one with all the Latin?"

"Erm…"

"You'd be doing me a massive favour," Sirius said suggestively, playing with a strand of her hair.

"I – well if it's for the good of the choir."

"How about tomorrow night?" Sirius asked, an eyebrow raised flirtatiously.

"Sure," Louise blushed again, "where?"

"That empty classroom on the charms corridor?"

"Cool. See you at 7pm?" She asked.

"Will do," Sirius replied.

Once Louise was gone, James came out from under the cloak. "I don't get why I have to be nice to her. I want to hex her, not date her."

"No. We don't want to hex her. We want to embarrass her the way she embarrassed Pete. This will work. Trust me." James replied.

I thought we'd see some of James and Sirius' loyalty to their friends mixed with their terrible behaviour! :)

Next chapter...

The WEEKEND!

Dates - James and Rachel, Alice and Frank, Lily and Trevor and perhaps a surprise encounter with Tom.

Sirius and Regulus have brother times.

The Gryffindors spend Saturday by the Lake...

Some news from the outside world...