The Marauders and the girls were sitting in the Great Hall, in the morning today was a Hogsmeade weekend, so everyone was excited. James was lost in his thoughts of the plan while the others discussed the new funny charm they had learnt The Atmospheric Charm, which can change the weather inside the room or in a small area.

"You didn't tell me what you smelled in Amortentia, Prongs?" said Sirius, and James was brought back to reality.

"What?"

"Are you okay mate? You are always lost in deep thoughts, anyway tell us what did you smelled in Amortentia?"

"I. . . treacle tart, my broomstick, and Jasmine," said James going red.

"Oh, I love the smell of Jasmine," said a voice as someone pushed Sirius and sat beside James, it was Lucy. "And you know I smelled broomstick."

"OH Ho! Prongs here is very fond of the broomstick, Lucy," said Sirius.

Lily felt jealous watching Lucy shamelessly sitting so close next to James and telling lies. But what if James smelled Lucy and not her?

"This is Gryffindor's table, Lucy," said Mary, she hated Lucy the most, but now she was next to Lily.

"I know, and I can sit here with my friend, everyone is allowed to sit at anyone's house table, can't I James?" she asked holding James' hand. James looked at his friends for their response but none of them spoke so he just sighed.

"Well, I think it's allowed but. . . ." before he could finish Lucy cut him.

"Thanks, James, you remember when our families took us to the Ministry and you trapped an owl with an important letter in a room, it was such a fun day," laughed Lucy.

"Yeah, I remember that, dad was angry," smiled James at that memory. And then Lucy began talking continuously for 5 long boring minutes, each minute getting closer and closer to James and each time Lily's anger and jealousy rose.

"So, we can go together today to the Hogsmeade," said Lucy holding James' arm.

"I. . . . I . . Sirius needs me today, we have work to do," said James.

"No, sorry mate I have a date today with Sally today," said Sirius not getting a hint at all.

"Well then it's settled I will meet you at the castle gate, bye James," Lucy said and kissed his cheek. And before James could say anything she was gone.

James turned at Sirius, "Thanks for the help, Padfoot," he said angrily.

"What? I told the truth only," said Sirius.

James shrugs, "Well, I am thinking of not going to Hogsmeade, then."

"I will stay too," said Remus looking at Mary.

"No, you both have to go," shouted Peter and they all turned to him, he was looking nervous since morning.

"Why?" asked James.

"Well, I want the dorm all to me, I have plans today," he said turning pink.

"And Sarah is the plan?" asked Remus smirking, Peter blushed and nodded.

"How did he move so much up the ladder, I can't believe it," said Sirius.

"Well, Sirius not all girls have the same taste, you know, not everyone is into you," said Mary honestly.

"But James you can't just dump a girl," said Peter.

"It's because you only want to be alone," snapped James and Peter raised his hands in mock surrender. "But I guess you are right, I'm fucked up."

Lily felt sad at this, she doesn't want James to go with Lucy, she had hinted to him last Hogsmeade trip that she was into him.

"Or, I don't have to, Lily you are not going with anyone, eh?" asked James and Lily nodded. "Perfect, please come with me and Remus you too."

"I am free whatever you say," said Remus sadly.

"Yeah, I will come with you," said Lily smiling at James.

Lily stood in between both boys as they made their way to the castle door, it was snowing lightly outside.

"I hope we escape without her noticing us," wished James.

"Is that Kim with Penny and Mary?" asked Remus bitterly.

"Yeah, mate," said James bending low in an attempt to prevent Lucy from noticing him, he looked at Lily and saw her looking at Remus.
Then to his dismay, Lucy came beside him from out of nowhere and he stood straight sighing.

"Where are we going first?" asked Lucy trying to hold James' hand but James moved his hand out of the way.

" I think three broomsticks, is it okay with you Lils?" asked James.

"Yeah," replied Lily.

"Is she coming with us?" asked Lucy angrily.

"Yeah she and Remus," said James

"Like a double date?"

"What? No, as friends," said James the word was odd.

Throughout the trip, James tried to be as distant from Lucy as possible and thus was very close to Lily, his hands automatically took hold of Lily's and she look at him and smiled at him.

In The Three Broomstick, James got to take the drinks and when he returned to their table to his relief Lily was sitting next to Lucy and Remus opposite to her.

"Is everything okay, Moony?" asked James.

"Yeah," shrugged Remus, James didn't push it, he had some idea it was due to Mary.

The trip wasn't as good as their last trip due to Lucy talking about god knows what things as James was only focused on the red-haired girl sitting across him.

They visited many places finally arriving in front of Shrieking Shack, he was looking at the house through a different view today, he was thinking of the Heist.

"Let's go to Honeydukes," said Lucy.

"You go, I have some work here," replied James.

"That's not how you are supposed to be on a date," said Lucy angrily to him. James looked and saw Lily, a few feet away from him, she was talking in low voice to Remus

"This isn't a date and I told you in the morning itself that I had some work, now please I want to do some work here," said James and Lucy looked angry for a moment then left.

James turned to look at the Shrieking Shack again, and after a few minutes an idea popped into his head, the heist plan was completed now, he turned and saw Lily was holding Remus' hand and explaining him something in low voice, she turned to James and saw him looking at her and walked over to him, Remus stood there still looking off, he was watching the gnomes around now.

"Shall we go back then?" she asked.

"Can I talk to you for a moment though?" he asked and Lily nodded and James explained to her the new idea and saw Lily's eyes widen.

"That's a perfect plan, James, you really are great at these types of things," she said happily and then hugged him. "You should be the Mastermind of Heists," she smirked at him.

"I think we came up with the name Marauder, for these skills only," chuckled James and she snorted, he noticed how close they were. He saw as Lily looked at Remus for a moment with concern before turning to him and giving him a quick peck on his cheeks.

"Let's go back, I have some issues to fix," she said holding his hand and walking to Remus and holding his hand too. "Come Remus time to go back."

All three of them walked back to the castle, James' cheek was burning where Lily has touched him and his insides were jumping to run to Dumbledore and tell him that the plan is ready.

"You both go I will catch up with you two later," said James when they entered the castle, Lily smiled and he waved at him, Remus was still grim, she took his hand and James saw as they both turned the corner and disappeared. James broke into a run to the Headmaster's office.

"Lemon Drops? Acid Pops? Sherbet Lemon?" he said to the Gargoyle and with the last words it opened, James ran up the stairs and knocked on the door, and it opened.

"The plan is ready," he said to the headmaster, whose eyes gleamed. James then explained the entire plan to Dumbledore.

"Excellent, James," exclaimed the old man when James was done. "I will inform you when we will be going and I will also talk to Mr Pettigrew too. I am thinking that just after New year will be the best time."

"Yes sir."

"Now go and enjoy James, and thank you for this help," said Dumbledore and then looked at James, "Unless you need anything else?"

"Yes, Professor. . . . um . . . .. I was hoping if you could teach me some advance ancient magic like the ones that you used against Grindlewald," said James nervously.

The Headmaster considers this for a moment before smiling at James, "Of course, I will teach you, you have proven yourself. I will send you notices of the lessons' timing, we will start it next week, one hour thrice a week seems good to me. Will you be able to cope with it along with your schoolwork?"

"Yes sir, thanks Professor," said James and he turned to leave.

"And ask your partner as well for these lessons too." James turned back.

"You mean Peter, sir?" asked James.

"No, I mean Ms Lily Evans, she had shown extraordinary capabilities too, ask her to come along with you, but don't tell anyone else about these lessons as it might not seem fair to others."

"Okay, sir," he said and left.

James walked happily through the corridors, except for Lucy, things have rather been fantastic today and his cheek was still burning. He spotted Marls walking in the next corridor and ran to her.

"Good Evening," he said happily.

"Well, you look very happy today, did the date with Lucy went well then?" she teased.

"I wanted to get rid of her asap, but you know after she left things went just great, Lily even kissed my cheeks, and I have a surprise for her too which I think she will like," grinned James.

"That's great," said Malrs.

"I should ask her today, I have waited for it since our last trip, what do you think?"

"I agree you should ask her, this time is perfect, come let's go, I have to talk to her anyway, then you can ask her afterwards," she said.

"Okay, do you know where she is?" asked James.

"Yeah, she is in Library."

"I am nervous," said James when they were near reaching near Library

"You have asked her many of times before," said Malrs.

"Yeah, but this time it's different, I really don't want to screw it up," he said running his hand through his hair again and again.

"Don't worry it will go well, I have noticed her being lost in thoughts and the way she looks at you. Believe me, this thing one does only when they like someone, and you both like each other," assured Malrs.

"I think I might even be in love with her," said James.

"Really?" asked Marls.

"I suppose so," said James running his hands through his hair.

"Come let's go inside and be bold," said Marls entering the Library.

They both walked to one of the silent corners where Lily usually sits, they were a few blocks away when they heard voices and they both stopped.

"Remus you are being stupid," James heard Lily's voice, Malrs was about to walk forward but James hold her. He wanted to know about Remus' problem and Marls understood him and stopped.

"It's risky, I mean who will ever. .. just think Lily will you accept me if you we. . . " Remus was saying but was cut by Lily.

"I have told you just a minute ago and I will tell you again you are a good guy, you care for everyone, you are good at studies and are good-looking, and those scars make you more attractive believe me, Remus, I want you to stop worrying about other things, I will say again so that you believe me you are awesome, a boyfriend material and finally I will say again to you I love you," said Lily and James' heart sank, Marls looked at him with the same expression shock.

"Thanks that means a lot Lily," said Remus' voice.

"That's not what you say to someone when they say this much, you really need lessons in these things now reply correctly, okay? 'I love you,"

"I love you too," said Remus' voice.

"That's what you should say, and now the next thing about the kiss," said Lily's voice and James' heart began aching and sinking."You kiss perfectly Remus, I know it, when you kissed on the train, so I suppose you will be better at other things too?"

"Yeah, I suppose so,"

"So, when are we going public?" asked Lily's excited voice.

"Soon, just don't tell anyone yet, especially not the boys," said Remus' voice.

"Okay, I am very happy finally you came to your senses," said Lily's voice. James couldn't stand more, he ran out of there.

His world was broken, he can't believe this his own friend will do this, he did not know what to do, jealousy, pain, and anger all at once. He found himself in an empty corridor and he sank to the floor as he tried to make sense of what he had just heard. Someone came and sat beside him, he looked like a blurred figure of Marls, he can't stop the tears from filling his eyes.

"I am sorry, James," said a worried Marls, she can't believe her ears, this was not what she had thought.

"What do you understand from their conversation, Marls, please tell me because my brain is not working properly," said James his voice sad.

Marlene thought about it why would someone say 'I love you' and talk about a kiss and going public, if they don't like each other? And from what Lily has said to Remus about being 'boyfriend material', this all means just one thing. But she found it hard to say to James, to a person who has just confessed to her that he might be in love with Lily and she herself has motivated him to go for it.

"Please tell,. . .. do you also think that something is going on between them from what we heard?" asked James again.

"I. .. I think so," said Marls honestly, "Should we talk to them?"

"No, didn't you heard they don't want to tell anyone yet and we can't just confront them, they will say when they want," said James. They sat in silence Marls didn't know what to say to James as she watched tears falling from his eyes. "She sounded so excited," James said with a chuckle and then his face fell again.

"I should have known this, Remus ignoring Mary, poor Mary, and then today Lily was looking at Remus with concern and talking to him in low voices, but I ignored it," said James.

"They were close for a long time," said Marls thinking about it.

"Yes, they go on many patrols together, she became friends with him before me or Sirius and Peter, she found out about him in the fourth year itself, they . . . . oh I was so stupid. Many times Remus had said not to ask out her or to leave her, he couldn't tell that directly so he said like that."

"I am sorry James, you just stop crying, please," pleaded Marls, she can't lie to him when she herself believes that they might be together.

"She just wanted to be friends with me, she was talking about dating Remus and I thought she meant me," said James smacking his head.

"James calm down," said Marls, James sat in silence hoping for someone to contradict his thought or hope this was a nightmare.

"They look perfect for each other," said James slowly. "Both are the same type of person and not like publicity, both are prefects."

Marlene thought about it but she find James and Lily more perfect for each other. But she wasn't able to say so to James, it will be like giving him false hope.

"We will not tell anyone that we heard them or about this talk," said James after five minutes of silence. "It's her life and I am okay as long as she is happy."

"Let's go to the common room it's getting late," said Marls, James nodded, drying his eyes.

None of their friends was there in the common room, there were only other students, Marls led James to a couch near the fireplace and they both sat there, Marls saw James' face it was very sad. She placed her hand on his back and started rubbing it gently. James just sat there watching the log burning.

After five minutes the portrait opened and two people came in laughing, hand in hand. James looked and saw Lily with Remus, his heart sank, they were coming towards them. Marls' hold tightened on James. Remus sat on the next couch and Lily beside him.

"Today was a great day," said Lily happily as she put her bag down. "What happened to him?" she asked looking at James.

"Nothing," said Marls looking at Lily and Remus curiously.

"I am going to bed," murmured James getting up.

"But we haven't had dinner yet, Prongs," said Remus but James ignored him and left. He turned to Marls, "What happened to him?"

"Yeah, he was fine when we left him," said Lily.

"I said nothing," replied Marls bitterly. "So, where were you?"

"Library, we were. . um. . . studying," said Remus and Lily nodded. Marls didn't say anything and took a book and started reading it but watching Remus and Lily both had smiles on their faces as they whisper talked.

The next day James spoke to Lily only once, "Dumbledore will give extra defensive lessons to both of us, thrice a week, Dumbledore asked you to join it."

"That's fantastic, I was looking for extra practice," said Lily happily but saw that James has left, he didn't even smiled at her. He has been like this since their visit, he was happy when they left him, something must have happened after that. Lily observed that in potions lessons too he barely spoke to her, he wasn't talking to anyone else, except Marls, he was spending a lot of time with her. And to Lily's disappointment, Marls had reduced talking to her too, and each time they talked Marls had a cold shoulder towards her.

In the night they were all sitting together, James was very quiet and Marls was beside him, Mary and Lily left first. James and Marls watched Remus as he saw the girls leaving and then he turned to James.

"Hey mate, I needed your help," asked Remus shyly. James nodded, and Marls watched Remus curiously. "I need your cloak and map, . . . and you are good at things, can you give me some tips for a romantic date I am planning, Padfoot and Peter aren't that helpful, and you are best at these things . . .as you know . . . you tried. . . on . . Lily in past, so any advice?"

Marls saw James clench his fist, then took a deep breathe, "Take her to that place near the lake, at night, a dinner will be best, candles and make sure to have pumpkin juice and butterbeer, slow music in the background will just make it perfect," he finished and smiled at Remus who thanked him and ran upstairs.

"Wonder who he is talking about? I tried to ask him but he didn't tell me," said Sirius and then he and Peter left too.

James broke down the moment the door of the dorm closed. Marls rubbed his back and hugged him. Marls was shocked at how fast he has answered. "Did you plan it?" she asked slowly.

"Yes, when you told me that day to take some time, that's when I started planning it," said James tears falling. "But I am happy, she is happy and Remus is my friend."

"Ohh, James," said Marls.

"You really love her?" asked Marls.

"Yes, I love her," said James, "When she laughed it's the best thing I have seen, my world lightens up, I can't do that, I now can't tell her how much she means to me, she sees me as a friend only. But I can't force her to love me, at least I have her as a friend. It might be hard for me to not like her that way and I don't think I can stop it but it won't matter as long as she is happy, her happiness is all that matters to me."

They sat there in silence for a few more minutes, "Why love has to be so hard?" he asked to Marls but she has no answer to it. "I am going out, the stag form helps me."

"It's dangerous at night," protested Marls.

"I will be safe and will be able to sleep properly, I don't feel much in that form," he said and Marls watched him leaving.

Three days and no proper talk, he gave her smile but not the one she likes the most, the smile that displays the happiness on his face and brightens everything, it was as though the smile was painful, half-heartedly given. James has been ignoring her and others, it was hurting her really bad, she has sat on the balcony for hours so that she could meet James and figure out what was wrong but he didn't come there.

James wasn't going to the balcony he will be reminded of the time he and Lily had spent there, he was now only going to the forest.

Lily was sitting with everyone in the common room but James wasn't there nor he was in his dorm.

"Where is James?" she asked the others.

"No idea, he barely talks to us and is somewhere unknown the whole time," shrugged Peter.

"He is acting strangely, he doesn't make many jokes now and acts odd around us," said Remus.

"Maybe he is got a chick or someone dumped him. I will lock him in the bathroom tomorrow until he tells me what's going on," chuckled Sirius.

"You will not do any such thing to him or I will kill you, he has already enough on his plate, he doesn't need your shitty things to disturb him more," Marls said angrily to Sirius.

"What's going on Marls?" asked Mary.

"It's none of your business, any of you," she said angrily.

"If you will tell us then we can help him, it's sad to see him like this," said Lily.

"Oh, so now you want to help him, want to know what's going on, how nice of you," snapped Marls.

Lily was now getting angry, "Yes, I want to know, it's not only you that care for him, I care for him too, you must be his cousin, but I am his. . .. best friend," shouted Lily.

"BEST FRIEND? They are supposed to share everything not hide things and YOU BETTER LEAVE HIM ALONE! he is already hurt, don't give him more pain", shouted Marls.

"I am giving him pain?" half shouted Lily. "You are also my best friend, but you are not telling me what's wrong with James."

"I don't want to talk to you," said Marls angrily and went out.

"Fine," said Lily, and she went upstairs.

"Merlin beard! What was that?" asked Sirius.

"No idea," the others said.

Lily and James were in potions class the next day, now Lily can't face it anymore, the moment the bell rang she held James' wrist, hard, not giving him any chance to run out of class like on other days. James looked at her, she noticed the pain in his eyes.

"James what's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing," he replied firmly and tried to move but Lily tightened her grip.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked her eyes waterily as she remembered Marls words.

"No, it's my fault," he replied.

"What's your fault James, please tell me, why are you not talking to me? Why you are ignoring me?" she asked,

"I am sorry, it's getting late, I have to go to the next class, please leave me," he said and left. Lily couldn't see him in pain, but she didn't know how to help him if he doesn't tell her.

It was nighttime, and dinner was over but neither James and Marls nor Lily noticed that two people were missing from their table, as all of them were interested in anything.

Snape has been watching the behaviour of both of them, he watches Lily holding James' wrist and how James ignored and left her, he has been seeing that Potter was ignoring Lily, he knew this would happen, now if he only gets to talk to Lily alone, he can mend their relationship and both of them can together share how much they hate Potter.

Marlene enter the common room beside James, she saw Lily looking at James, there was a pain in her eyes, Marls can't understand, she saw Lily going up to the dorm and heard the door close, James also left for his dorm, Marls sat in the common room with Sirius and Peter, she was thinking about Lily's behaviour.

After 20 minutes the portrait opened and two people came in but Marls didn't look up, until Sirius and Peter wolf-whistled.

The scene in front of her shocked her, standing in front of her were Remus and Mary, both were having a look like they just had the best time, she noticed that Remus was holding Mary close to him through the waist, and both were smiling, and happy, then Remus kissed her cheek both of their smiles widened.

Marls watched in shock and cursed herself as realization hit her.

"You were both on a date?" asked Marls and they nodded.

"By the lake?" and Mary nodded.

"So, this was why you were asking for James' help that day?" Remus nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me?" asked Marls.

"I didn't know about it until tonight," blushed Mary.

"And I was keeping it secret from anyone to not spoil it, only Lily knew, actually it was Lily who gave me the confidence to go for it, she motivated me, otherwise I was a coward, and was thinking stupid things," said Remus.

"Ohh, I see," said Malrs "And what sort of things did Lily say?"

"On the last Hogsmeade visit she noticed me sad and angry and asked me what was upset about, she knew that it was about Mary, and when we returned she took me to the Library and forced me to tell her everything. I told her how I was afraid to hurt Mary and that due to my condition, no one will love me and blah blah.. And then she told me that I was wrong and that you all love me, she told me how much Peter and Sirus love me, how much you love me and how much James love and care for me like a little brother, she told me she loves me and that this should be enough for me to stop being feeling sad for myself. I told her I wasn't a person to be in a relationship with and that I am not boyfriend material, but she gave me confidence and told me that I am. She somehow saw me and Mary kissing on the train and she told me that Mary told her that the kiss was best and other things, she taught me what to say on a date and other things and tips," said Remus.

"She sounds like Prongs, that's how he was talking when we found out about Moony's condition," commented Sirius.

"Yeah, he also gave me this talk when I was nervous before asking out Sarah before Ball," said Peter.

Marlene took a moment to absorb this then smiled and jumped on her feet, she took the cloak and the map from Remus.

"Now, you all are not allowed to go to the Boys' dorm, until I say," she warned the boys, giving them her death glare.

"Why? and Prongs is already there," said Sirius.

"That's why, and I will kill you if you put a step up the dorm," said Marls and then she left for the girls' dorm.

She opened the dorm and saw Lily laying on her bed in a nightgown, looking sad, Lily turned to another side when she noticed Marls.
Marls walked up to her bed and sat beside her. "I am sorry Lily," she said placing her hand on her shoulder.

"Oh, so now you are talking?" snapped Lily.

"I was stupid and there was a misunderstanding, come James needs you," said Marls and Lily sat up.

"Oh, he now needs me, and when I was requesting him to tell me, he just left," said Lily, there was anger and pain in her voice.

"He was stupid like me, and as I said there was a misunderstanding, come with me let's make everything right, he needs you," said Marls. Lily get up from her bed and Marls threw the cloak over both of them.

"Why?" Lily asked.

"Shh, come with me," and they both left the girls dorm under the cloak.

Please review!

HEY! IF YOU'RE READING PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT AND REVIEW IT. JUST WRITE ANYTHING.

Am trying to improve my grammar and writing.