" What the hell just happened down there?" asked Marlene.

" No, idea, but that's James and Lily for sure

, bickering and laughing," said Peter grinning.

" That was just brilliant though " said Remus .

Soon more and more people realized what had just happened , as they saw a person sitting on the stage with a Pumpkin for a head and other lay froze on the ground as though a sstone sculpture and standing in front of them were a girl and a boy who were arguing and also laughing.

" Come on , Evans , it was just a sort of gift for our dear Minnie ."

"How so ?"

" Because , few days back she heard me say that ' Avery will look much better if he has a pumpkin for head ' and she told me that ' Well Potter as much as I will be glad to see that I would say it's a rather hard transfiguration and also I warn you not to try it otherwise you will be in detention with Filch for a month .' So, I thought to display it to her without getting detention."

Fireworks and cheers erupted from all around and it was then that Lily and James realized that they had really won.

" WE WON" shrieked Lily , jumping up and down and without thinking , and under the state of euphoria she jumped on James and he caught her.

" YES, WE DID IT." James replied, looking up at Lily, who had her hands now in the air in celebration and swung her around.

" Mr. James Potter and Ms. Lily Evans had won the championship, they are the 'UNDERAGE DUEL CHAMPION' " said the commentator.

James didn't want to put Lily down ever , James had never seen Lily this happy before , he could feel butterflies in his stomach , she looked at him and his grin widened as he saw the Green eyes .

Lily looked down at the Hazel eyes and for the first time she noticed that they were beautiful with shades of brown and green and a bit of gold , his eyes were beaming , she looked at his wide grin, there was no mischief in this grin as he usually had , for the first it was just for happiness, it was infectious . His face though she looked had a bruise on his forehead , without thinking her hands moved to the spot , and he filched at the touch .

" Sorry " she said slowly " You are hurt , let's go to Pomfrey "

" Yeah and so are you ." James said putting her down and he took her arms up and showed a cut on her elbow , which she hadn't notice under the euphoria , her clothes there were blood soaked.

" Come dear let's go to Madam Pomfrey and then you can return for collecting your award and celebrations . " said Flitwick and led them to Pomfrey , who treated their many wounds and cuts , which both of them did not knew they had until she put the hot lotion on them . All the while madam Pomfrey continued her disapproval of the duel .

" Off you go , and don't get hurt again , specially you Potter " she said to them but they were too excited as they ran out towards the pitch , Yuri and Dimitri were taken to the hospital on stretchers, Yuri was still having a Pumpkin for head , but had started to shrunk to it's usual shape.

" Come here dears , come here , congratulations , I enjoyed the duel very much and both of yours skills are extraordinary" said Miss Rachel Williams , one of the judges , from the stage , which was now semi-circular and was decorated with flowers and a banner behind which said ' UNDERAGE DUEL CHAMPIONS (1976).'

" You will surely make excellent aurors and help in these hard times , again congratulations " she added in very low voice when they reached her.

As James and Lily reached the stage a blond man asked them to stand under the banners for photos and then asked others to join for photos.

" Now , the trophies please " said Mr. Matthew Greenwood and gave them a trophy . " Spectacular display of Magic and patted them both on their backs.

" Quite a performance there Mr. Potter and Ms. Evans " said a familiar voice , they turned to see a smiling old man with half-moon glasses " Those figures looked exactly as reaI wizards , I think the books were useful than Mr. Potter ?"

" Yes professor , they were very helpful , thank you ." said James .

" Oh! , it was my pleasure, your smoke trick was very clever , and the Doubling charm Ms. Evans was impressive . " he added.

" Thanks professor ."

" Albus , now let me give them their award for winning and then you can talk with them " said Ms Rachel .

" Sure , Sure " said the old man

After collecting their galleons , James and Lily raised their trophies and awards for the final photoshoot with the two judges.

" Professor we have a request," said James , Lily behind him .

As James and Lily collected their prizes , the crowd was all cheering, Victoire and Noah were sitting along with Marauders and two Ms and were cheering too , they all began to go to the grounds to greet their friends , but when they reached near them along with other Gryffindors and some Hufflepuff friends , Dumbledore's voice echoed.

" Now some music as requested by our champions . Everyone , please join and sing along as the song starts." Dumbledore beamed and flicked his wand.

Then a song began playing at a loud sound ,

" Is it what I think it is ?" asked Mary happily as she heard the song begin.

" YES! It is " Jumped James and Lily together .

Where it began, I can't begin to knowing
But then I know it's growing strong
Was in the spring
And spring became the summer
Who'd have believed you'd come alongHands, touching hands
Reaching out, touching me, touching youSweet Caroline

Everyone in the stand begin singing together forgetting to what school , country, blood status they belong as they sang . And for the next part they got even louder and jumped together ,

"BUM, BUM, BUM " echoed throughout the ground .

James and Lily were now hoisted on shoulder of their friends as they continued singing.

Good times never seemed so good

" SO GOOD! SO GOOD! SO GOOD!" they all punched their fist in the air each time.

I've been inclined

" BUM, BUM, BUM "

" For a minute you both had made everyone worried , the entire crowd was tensed when the blue smoke covered the entire pitch and then the cry that sounded like Banshee stirred fear among the crowd as well , many younger students and our Pete began crying when they heard the cry and some wetted themselves " said Sirius .

They were sitting in Gryffindor common room , the winning party was over one hour before.

" Hey , I didn't cry " protested Peter.

" Whatever, but what I am saying is we were not able to see anything what was happening and Bertha Jorkins was saying death eaters from outside had attacked you all " Sirius continued.

" That was the point mate to divert their concentration and separate them , they are good ..no.. excellent duelers but they were both kind of idiots ." said James grinning.

"We didn't know they will so easily fall for our trick , that's why we both had decided that we will separate them and attack one at a time but they both let their guards down by thinking they had just escaped an attack , exactly what we wanted , we defeated them rather easily after that ." added Lily.

Both James and Lily were tired but the euphoria from the win gave them energy and medications from Pomfrey helped .

" Did you get the idea for smoke from any other duels or did you created your own idea ?" asked Remus.

James and Lily looked at each other and laughed .

" We created it but got the idea from the song ' Yellow Submarine '." on seeing confused looks on others' faces , he added " We both were listening to it yesterday night and I asked her about what is Submarine ."

" And I told him how they remain underwater invisible to other ships on surfaces and attack them without them knowing from where the attack came . And thus the idea for the smoke came." said Lily.

" You both used some very advance magic , Professor Flitwick was very proud during and impressed during Dinner " said Marlene.

" Yeah and Professor McGonagall was telling the judges that you were her favourite student in transfiguration , Prongs " smirked Sirius .

" That's what I do mate , she couldn't resist my good charm " James winked at Lily , who felt for the first time some strange feelings in her stomach , but she ignored it.

" But I thought it was Lily who was good at charms " injected Peter .

" Yes , that's true Evans is rather good at charms than me that's why she continues resisting my charm , but I'm sure that one day my charm will reach her level ." he jumped to sit next at Lily on floor and put her hands around her shoulders , Lily again felt the strange feeling as she smelled his cologne , a woodsy one , though she collected herself , ducked his arms and hit him with the pillow she was having in her lap .

" Careful Potter , or I will give you the Pumpkin head next ."

" I can deal with it if I get to put my arms around your shoulders ." he whispered in her ears and got another blow by the pillow in the face .

" Relax Evans , you just hit my bruise ." he said holding his hand at his forehead , Lily instantly fell bad , she had hit him rather hard than she wanted.

" Sorry , sorry , but you were annoying me and I just lost my control ." she said examining his bruise , she noticed that he had got a scratch on his nose by his glasses .

" It's okay ." said James rubbing his bruise and than he grinned . " You care for me , Evans ."

" Yeah, because I gave you the pain and stop grinning or I will hex you next " warned Lily.

" Ok , ok " said James , he took the pillow from her placed it in front of her on floor and laid his head on it . Lily resisted the urge to run her hands in his messy hairs , God what was wrong with her. She doesn't fancy him .

Their friends all shook their heads at them tired of their bickering , God only knows when they will stop all this , they are doing this for over 2 years now.

James lying on the floor stealing glances at Lily , listening to others as they talked about more about the duel , but didn't speak as he was tired and before he knew he was asleep .

It was only after 15 minutes that others noticed that James was asleep.

"Is he asleep or just faking it ? " Sirius asked Lily who was closest to James.

Lily looked at James' face it was relaxed , and he looked cute in sleep , stop , stop Lily what has gotten into you , he is not cute ...ok he is but it doesn't matters to you , does it ?

" Potter , hey Potter " she poked him in his stomach , oh got he has abs ofcourse he has , but it doesn't matter right?

" He is asleep. " Lily informed others.

" I think we should leave him here , he needs rest , it was a long day , we cant levitate him to our dorm but we can levitate him on the couch, without waking him " suggested Remus.

" Yeah it was " said Lily , she removed James' glasses and put it on the table nearby , and Sirius put him on the couch , while Mary placed a blanket on him and one by one they all left .

Lily was a sleepyhead but today she got up rather early before anyone in the tower , and finished her morning routine as fast as she could and rushed to the common room with hope .

She reached there , it was empty and silent except for one person sleeping there , she reached and stared at him for few moments , than poked his stomach .

" Hey Potter wake up , hey Potter " she said . James stirred and half opened his eyes .

"What are you doing in my bed ?" his voice hoarse , this voice did something in her stomach again .

" I am not in your bed ,"

" Then , I am in yours bed , nice " he grinned.

" No , you idiot, you are in common room get up ." James tried to find his glasses but Lily put it on his eyes.

"Thaks ,Good Morning " he smiled at her

" Morning, you have got really bad visions " she noticed .

" Yeah , but I can recognize, you with closed eyes too "

" Stop flirting or I will hex you before you touch the ground " she said and turned to left for the great hall when James shouted at her

" Happy Valentine's day , Evans " Lily turned and pointed her wand at him , his ears and eyebrows turned green.

The whole school was excited for the ball and Valentine's day made it more dramatic. A lot of students were told off for snogging by professors , Sirius being called off thrice , the great hall was decorated , and the staff were rather busy arranging the ball , and so were Alice and Frank who were Head Girl and Head Boy , the prefects were to help but Lily was given rest , Remus however was not lucky.

" Why isn't it turning back to it's original colour ?" asked James as he sat opposite ti Lily who laughed at his appearance along with other peoples.

" You are expert in transfiguration , you should know it , or was it all fake " Lily said.

" You hurt me Evans " he said placing his hand at heart .

"I warned you "

" Stop it you two and James that will wear off in an hour or two , I have to face it last month for waking Lily early ." interrupted Marlene before James could say anything and then began putting food in her plate angrily.

" What happened Marls ?" asked Mary.

"Dawid Williams" muttered Marls "We were kissing and then he started muttering about how near O. are , how he should study more , how his History is weak because he had read it only twice blah blah blah , it completely spoiled the mood "

"Told you he was a psycho "Sirius said looking pleased with himself , Marlene rolled her eyes.

" I think I am missing something " said confused Lily .

" Yes , you are because you were busy practising , the ball is today remember , we have to take dates and unfortunately Dawid is my date." said Marlene.

" Oh FUCK !" said Lily and James together , they both had forgotten about the ball completely .

" I haven't got my robes yet " said James .

" Nor me , oh fuck " groaned Lily .

" Dont worry Lils , Marls and I have got you one , we knew you would forget about it , so we brought it with ours." said Mary.

" Thanks I will pay you , okay ?" said Lily

" Okay , we know you have money so we will not deny ." said Mary with a smirk.

" I dont think you all have brought me one , have you , not even Moony ?" James asked to Sirius and Peter , who looked dumbfolded and shook their head . "Shit , now I have to get robes before evening."

" You haven't got your robes Potter ?" asked McGonagall as she approached them .

" He has Professor , aunt Euphemia sent him , but he missed the post , so I gave it to Remus the most responsible one among them " said Marlene.

"Good , because Potter you and Ms. Evans will start the ball with the dance."

" I dont dance Professor " said James forgetting that he had to dance with Lily Evans .

" Yeah you do mate , Fleamont told me you used to take dance lesson in third year to impress a girl ." smirked Sirius

" Very well than it's settle , Ms. Evans I know it's a difficult task but I hope that you will able to control Mr. Potter . I may neglect some hexes if he behaves well during the opening ." and she left.

Lily groaned at put her head on table .

" Don't worry Evans I will behave myself , no, I mean I will behave well." said James.

" Really " asked Lily sitting up straight and looking at him.

" Yes , I will but you will have to give me something ."

" What?" She felr this was heading in wrong direction.

" You will go next hogsmeade with me" he said hopefully running his hand in his hairs.

" NO " Lily noticed as James face saddened for a second before lightning again , he leaned closer to her.

" I promise I will not put a toe out of line if you will kiss me "

" How about I give you some hexes ?" she said with a wicked smile , Marlene laughed .

" Well your lose than , it was a good offer for you " he stuck his tongue at her , Lily rolled her eyes .

" Well with whom are you going Mary ?" asked Lily ignoring James.

Mary turned red and blushed . " Remus"

" I forced them to go together , they are so shy to even look at each other ."

" Shut up Marls , go find Dawid he might be snogging his notes " snapped Mary.

James however was now looking at four slytherins who were all looking anxious, this cant be a good sign.

They talked for sometime before leaving for the Gryffindor common room.

James sat in a distant corner while others engaged themselves in a game of exploding snap. He instantly pulled out the map and looked for the four people , two of them were in Dungeons and two were moving towards Green house. Why were they going there , today was a day off , all were busy in great hall decorating and arranging . He was thinking about whether to follow them or not. And maybe they were doing some pending work or other . His train of thoughts was cut by tapping on his shoulder , he jumped and looked around to find Remus looking tired his hair having few rose petals . He had just returned from his prefect duty.

" I have put your robes on your bed , I forgot to give you earlier and last night you slept early ."

" Its okay , thanks mate."

" What are you looking the map for ?"

James looked at the map the two students were now at green house . " Nothing just killing my time ." He hasn't told Rem because he already has a lot on his plate and Pete because he will go all nervous and he couldn't involve Sirius at all.

"Stalking others isn't a good idea to kill your time, come lets play exploding snap ." Remus was not going to push about what James was doing , he knew James well that if he doesn't want to tell you , you cant make him .

"Sure , let's go " said James .

After playing 3 rounds with everyone , James left saying he needed to got loo , he wasnt able to take his mind off the slytherins when he knew they might be up to something .
He took out the map and saw that all four of them were in their dorms separated , means they were surely not doing anything wrong now .

He came back to find that the girls have left and his three mates were busy talking about Sirius' new victory.