solemnly swear - closed.

[ same. night!]

"You'll be fine," Kaleigh said, looking over at them. "Dorcas will probably bite your head off if you try, so just go Marlene. I won't kill you today." She gave him a small pat on the shoulder and a reassuring smile. "Now c'mon, Remus. You can't make fun of Peter for being scared of attractive women then not go sweet talk Marlene MacKinnon." She knew she probably shouldn't have brought up the fact that she definitely heard what he'd said early, but hey, it was out there now.

---

"I've told you before, Lily," James said in a slightly defeated tone. "You just never... You'd tell me to piss off and walk away. What did you expect me to do? Go through my entire Hogwarts career not talking to any other girls because the one I liked pretty well hated me until a year ago?" He wasn't going to apologize for flirting with other girls. It wasn't like he snogged them in the middle of the great hall or anything. It was just flirting. And when Lily had been how she was, not that he blamed her, what else was he supposed to do?

"Marlene. Fine. I think I can handle her," Remus muttered, trying to resist the smirk when she patted him on the shoulder. "Actually, I can definitely make fun of Peter for being scared of-" He shook his head at her, giving her a pointed look when she brought that up. "-Of incredibly attractive women and not sweet talk Marlene." He was laying it on thick, and he knew it. He stood up, giving her a mock salute before heading over to the girl. "You know, I'm pretty sure that you did something with your hair. It looks nice," he said, albeit awkwardly. How was he supposed to sweet talk her? The woman could kill him in an instant with just a look, he was sure of it. He risked a glance back to Kaleigh, giving her a pleading look before back to Marlene. "You think so?"

---

"The only reason I told you to piss off was because I thought you were kidding! How was I supposed to know that you were actually being serious? I thought you acted that way with everyone," Lily said, frowning as she looked up at him. "Look, I shouldn't have - No, okay? I don't have any right to go on about who you talked to. I just... I thought you weren't being serious, which is why I got so upset with you. Which is why you should have told me before!" She added taking a step forward as she looked up at him. "What was I supposed to think?"

Kaleigh kept a slightly amused look on her face as Remus walked over to Marlene and had to suppress a giggle when he looked back at her with that look on his face. Her hair, though, really? He could do better than that. Hopefully Marlene didn't shoot him down right away so Kaleigh could get entertained by his attempts at sweet talking for a bit longer than thirty seconds. She lifted her mug to her lips, trying to keep an eye on Remus, but not look like she was staring.

---

"I have told you before!" James said slightly indignantly. "It's not my fault you didn't believe me!" He ran a hand through his hair, looking around the kitchen to try to collect himself a bit before looking back at Lily. "Look, no point in arguing over it now. It's out in the open now, and we can't exactly go back in time and change that, can we?" He gave a little shrug of his shoulders. If they really got into an argument over this, that'd be pretty stupid if you asked James. You can't change the past. "So Lily Evans, I do seriously like you and I have very seriously liked you for the past sevenish years," James continued with a bit of a forced, slightly awkward smile as he looked down at Lily.

Remus was trying his hardest to not look back and scowl at Kaleigh. "Um, yeah. Definitely. I know so. Looks great, Mar," he said, attempting to turn on the charm. "Not that it didn't look good before," he added, smirking down at her. It took a couple of seconds, but then the girl flushed ever so slightly as she looked up at him. "Oh, it wasn't much, Remus. Just touched up a couple of things." He was going to kill Kaleigh. The way that Marlene was looking up at him, he had a feeling that she was at least mildly interested in him. "Really? Well it uh, it looks grand. Just grand."

---

"How was I supposed to believe you when you were acting the way you were? I thought you were like that with everyone! I thought you were just trying to get me riled up!" Lily exclaimed, looking up at him with wide eyes. Her stomach was swarming with butterflies, and she was pretty sure that confusion was an understatement. Did she like him? She wasn't sure. Everything suddenly seemed to be upside down. "James Potter, you are the most infuriating man that I have ever met, and I just - I - " She couldn't get the words out, not that she really knew what she was even saying.

Kaleigh had to bit her lip and put the back of her fist over her mouth to stop from laughing. She moved form her spot on the ground, carrying her tea with her, to the couch where she had a better view of what was going on. Marlene was definitely enjoying the attention from Remus, who was not enjoying her enjoying the attention. Dorcas looked like she was going to vomit. "Why's Remus talking to Marlene?" Sirius asked from beside Kaleigh. Kaleigh glanced at Sirius and shrugged. "Looks like he likes her." She was being a shit disturber, but hey, while this stuff was going on.

---

"I'm infuriating?" James said, his eyes wide. "How are you still blaming this on me! I've been honest with you since day one!" He had never said 'ha ha only joking Lily, I don't like you' after he told her he liked her. He'd never lied. If anything, she was the infuriating one. "But, if you want to call me that, go ahead. I'm used to it by now." He gave a little shrug and an irritated smile before taking several steps backward. He turned on the third, heading back out of the kitchen and sitting down onto the arm of the couch beside Sirius.

Remus didn't have to turn around to see Kaleigh laughing - he could practically feel it. He heard her get up and walk over to somewhere - it might have been the couch - but he had to focus on Marlene. He scratched at the back of his neck awkwardly, smiling a little as he watched her. "Oh, it's nothing, Remus. But that's sweet... You're... Sweet." Remus was officially going to kill Kaleigh. Or at least sneak into her room in the middle of the night and do something awful to her. Because this was just downright cruel. "I uh - Yeah? Thanks. Thank you. You're... Yeah. You too."

---

"How was I supposed to know that you were being honest when all you were being is a bloody twat?" Lily burst out, glaring up at him. "Merlin, you're just - fine!" She watched as he stepped backwards, fighting the sudden urge to just kiss him. It hit her as he walked out that she might actually like him. It would make sense, really. Not that she liked the idea of it making sense, but it would. She sighed, realizing that she might have just messed everything up. She stepped back into the room, her shoulder resting on the doorjam as she leaned against it, stealing a glance in James's direction.

Kaleigh couldn't help the snort that came from her when Remus kinda returned the compliment to Marlene. She doubled over, putting her forehead on her knees, to stop herself from actually bursting out laughing. For the moment, she was silently trying to hold in the laughter, although she was vibrating from the attempt of stopping it. This was way better than Peter nearly wetting himself when she winked at him, and she couldn't even look because she'd end up laughing in Remus and Marlene's faces. She already knew that Marlene didn't like her, she didn't need her wanting to strangle her too.

---

James didn't really know what was so funny about Remus talking to Marlene, but he didn't care enough to try to get Kaleigh to tell him. He just sat on the arm of the couch with his lips pursed, his eyes on Remus, even though they weren't really focused. His mind was on Lily, as it often was, but he was frustrated. He'd have to tell Sirius about it later, just to vent more than anything. How the hell was this his fault? He wasn't even being a 'bloody twat' to quote Lily. He'd tell her he liked her and she'd be a prick and tell him to piss off. She was the mean one, this was her fault. Whatever this even was. Her being mad, that was her fault.

Marlene stared at him with this confused look on her face, as though she was trying to figure out if that was a compliment or not. Hell, even he was trying to figure that one out. "Oh, well thank you," she said, the look on her face and tone in her voice making it obvious that she was assuming that it was a compliment. "It's no problem, really. Totally meant that." He was being incredibly clear that he was having trouble with this, but Marlene appeared to have no clue. He finally risked a glance back to Kaleigh and made a face at the sight of her. She looked as though she could hardly contain herself.

---

Lily decided to screw and just watched James, not caring who noticed. She hadn't meant for him to get angry with her. It was just that every time that he'd told her, she'd thought that he was simply taking the piss. How was she supposed to know to look through the arrogant facade to realize that he actually did like her? And now she might like him (might was being kind - she was almost positive that she did). She stood there for a couple more seconds before sighing and stood up, moving to grab her jacket. "I'm headed out for a walk. I'll be back in a bit," she said, knowing that she'd be safe enough if she kept her head down and kept quiet. She just needed to clear her head.

Kaleigh nearly lost it at the 'Totally meant that'. She had to stand up and walk into the kitchen, where she promptly sat down in a chair and started to laugh. She tried to keep it down, but she wasn't exactly able to. It was harder than it seemed to keep yourself contained when something uncomfortable was happening, especially when you were the one making it happen. She was starting to think that Remus was going to get her back for this, but it was all well worth it.

---

James didn't say anything but watched Lily as she grabbed her jacket. He looked back to Remus, keeping the same tight lipped expression. He was brought back from his losing focus when he got a nudge in the side. "Are you going to go with her?" Sirius asked, looking up at James from his spot beside him. James shook his head. "She doesn't want me to," he replied. "Yeah, but it's not safe out there, James... And it's Lily," Sirius countered, raising an eyebrow. James let out a sigh, standing up. He ran a hand through his hair and followed Lily outside, putting his hands into his sweater pocket as he did.

Remus tried to keep a straight face, but the second he heard Kaleigh laughing in the kitchen, he knew that it would be impossible. "I'm sorry, I'm just - Going to uh - check on Kaleigh. You know, just - yeah," he stammered out, practically running into the kitchen. The second he got in there he was laughing as well, although he was pretty sure that it mostly because she was laughing. "Merlin, I'm terrible," he groaned, collapsing into a chair. "You're an evil being, Kal. Didn't know you had it in you."

---

Lily slipped on her jacket as she headed for the front door, grabbing her toque and shoving it on her head before she headed out the door, pausing for only a second when she realized that James was trailing after her. She didn't like how that made her feel, a faint flood of excitement running through her veins. She stepped outside, pausing for a second to check for any Death Eaters that may be lurking about. It had happened before. When she figured that it was clear she stepped out, taking in the fresh night air. "You don't have to come, James. I know you're mad."

"I'm sorry," Kaleigh managed as she forced herself to slow down on the laughing. "But that was hilarious. I think Marlene's got the hots for you, Remus." She put a hand over her mouth, trying to stop herself from starting up the hysterical laughter again. "Seriously I think she does. She was giving you some serious eyes. Please don't kill me for making you do that." She knew something was going to come. He was, after all, Remus Lupin, best friend to Sirius Black and James Potter. What else could she expect from him?

---

"I know I don't have to," James said, taking a deep breath after he spoke. "But me being mad isn't worth you going out alone and getting hurt. I'd be more mad at myself if something happened to you because I wasn't there to stop it than I am at you right now." Him being irritated at her blaming him for her being dismissive while at school wasn't worth anyone getting hurt over. "I don't really mind. I'll get over it. I've gotten worse loud lectures like that from you before."

"That was terrible!" Remus hissed, making sure to keep his voice low so that way Marlene or Dorcas didn't hear him. "She can't like me. I thought she liked Sirius, she was always talking about... Merlin, she likes me. What have I done? What have you done? You made me talk to her!" He said, his eyes widening as he looked at her. "It's going to be much worse than killing, trust me." For the first time in a long time, he felt a good deal happier than he had been. For the first time in a long time, he felt normal.

---

Lily opened her mouth to say something else, but promptly closed it. It took her a couple of seconds to figure out what she wanted to say, and she had to say this carefully. "I'm sorry," she began, keeping her eyes on the sidewalk as she walked forward. "I didn't - I was confused and didn't know what to say or do and I shouldn't have gotten so annoyed with you." She stuffed her hands into her pockets, realizing that forgetting gloves wasn't the smartest thing to do. "I'm sorry, James."

"Must worse than killing? What are you going to do, tickle me into insanity or something?" Kaleigh suggested, raising her eyebrows. "Marlene's not really that bad," lie, she was that bad. "I'm sure she'd make a lovely girlfriend," another lie, she'd be awful and high maintenance. "You'd love every second with her. Maybe you should go talk to her more. She probably misses you already." The teasing was probably going to make things for her even worse, but at this point, she was past caring. She'd rather be getting herself into shit with Remus than be sitting alone in the other room, not talking.

---

James, looked at Lily as they walked. He nudged her gently with her elbow, looking at the road in front of him as he spoke. "Don't worry about it, Evans," he said, looking up ahead of them. "I'm sure I'd react the same if a tosser like me told me he seriously liked me." He chuckled, glancing over at her with a grin. He couldn't even stay mad at her for ten minutes. He was a little pathetic. "I mean it, though. Don't worry about it. Its okay."

[bed time for me! talk to you tomorrow ]

[good night! ]

"No, worse'n that. Much worse," Remus said, already starting to think of things. It was just like old times while they were back at school. "You're awful," he said, making a face at her. His eyes widened when she mentioned girlfriend. "No. No way. No way in hell. I'm not - No. No girlfriend," he said, practically stammering. "You know what would do the trick? A nice, short-term love potion. That'd work wonders. Getting to watch you moon over whoever I'd like for awhile. Wonder if Peter would appreciate you thinking you loved him. Or Sirius. That'd be fun."

---

Lily glanced over to him when she felt him bump her, confused for a second. But then it was like sweet relief flooding through her. He forgave her. She was surprised at how fast he did forgive her. Maybe he really did like her that much. She couldn't help but grin back at him, feeling lighter than she had in awhile. "James, I - I think I - Well I know I - " She cut herself off, unsure of how to say it.

"A love potion? I don't think Sirius needs another girl chasing after him, do you?" Kaleigh replied, raising her eyebrows. "And Peter nearly wet himself when I winked at him, I don't think he'd survive if I was short term in love with him." She wouldn't put it past Remus to somehow get her a love potion, but she'd just have to be careful. No more food unless she made it herself and all that jazz. It wouldn't be that hard, she was self sufficient and no one really ever offered her food.

---

"You what, Lily? Spit it out, use your big girl words," James said with a laugh. He wasn't sure what she was going to say, but he knew she was having a lot of trouble getting it out in the way she wanted. She probably was just trying to think of something to reply to his forgiveness with. He had an amused smile on his face as he looked at her, continuing down the sidewalk that they had found themselves on.

"You're right. Sirius might get annoyed. And Peter couldn't truly appreciate it," Remus murmured, frowning as though he was thinking about it. His eyes lit up, though, as he watched her. "It could be for me. I'd appreciate having you fawn all over me. Oh, or maybe Marlene. That'd be interesting, actually. Very interesting. Tell me, Kal, do you like girls like her? Because you might soon enough," he teased, smirking as he sat back in his seat. "It wouldn't be very hard, either."

---

"Shut up, Potter," Lily replied easily, swatting at his arm lightly. His teasing really wasn't helping with what she was trying to say. She felt like she was on the verge of jumping off of a cliff, staring down into the abyss with no idea how things would turn out. "Ilikeyoutoo." The words came out in a rush, pushing together before she lost her small burst of courage. The second she said them, however, she was positive that she was going to throw up. She didn't look at him, instead focusing solely on the sidewalk. "I have for awhile, I think."

"Girls like her? No," Kaleigh said, shaking her head vigorously. "Alice, maybe. If I was into girls. Marlene, no. I'd much rather you force me into loving Sirius or Peter or you than Marlene. Hell, I'd take loving McGonagall over Marlene. Not saying you're allowed to do that. You do that and I'll have to do something even worse." She wasn't even sure she could think of something even worse than being in love with your ancient ass professor, even if it was temporary.

---

James' amused grin quickly faded off his face when Lily finally spat out the words she was trying to say. He stopped walking, grabbing onto her arm and spinning her so she was facing him. "Are you serious?" James asked, wide eyed. His heart was beating about four hundred miles an hour. Did Lily Evans, Lily Evans, just say she liked him too? He let go of her arm and put a finger under her chin, tipping her head up so she'd look at him. "Lily are you serious?"

[i'm working on some homework, so it might take me a little while in between replies. sorry!]

Remus smirked at her, his plan starting to form already. "You'd rather me force you to love me, then? Kal, I had no idea that you felt that way," he teased, his smirk turning into a full blown grin. "You better watch out for what you eat, because I'm pretty sure that this might be one of the greatest ideas that I've ever had. Think about it. If anything, it'd drive Marlene up the wall. That might be better than revenge, really. It'd drive her insane. And Dorcas, too."

---

Lily was positive that her heart was going to pound right out of her chest. She gave a slow nod, avoiding his gaze as much as possible. She had no idea what she was doing. All she knew was that her pulse was racing and the spot where he'd grabbed her arm felt like it was on fire. Her eyes flickered to his as he tilted her head up, swallowing slowly. "Y-yeah," she stammered out, suddenly a ball of nerves. "I never really - I just - You - I'm pretty sure over a year now."

[don't worry about it! i'm reading, so take your time!]

"I'll kill you, Remus," Kaleigh said, trying to keep a serious look on her face, but a smile moving across her lips because of his stupid grin. "I swear I will." If he fed her love potion, she'd feed him one too. Maybe he could be in love with Peter for the week. That'd probably be fun to watch for everyone. Maybe not so fun for Peter or Remus, but everyone else would have a good time, she was sure.

---

"A year?" James said, wide eyed. He took a step away from Lily and put his hands in his hair, doing a little circle as he let out a long, slow breath. "You've liked me for a year? Bloody hell I- I don't-" It was a little sad that one of the first full thoughts to pop into his head was 'I have to tell the boys'. This wasn't really about the boys. He dropped his hands out of his hair and looked back to Lily. "Well I'm going to do something I've wanted to do for ages, okay?" James asked. He didn't want for a reply before closing the gap between him and Lily, putting a hand on her hip, and pressing his lips firmly to hers.

[okay, cool! and just to check, would you be okay if remus did attempt to slip her a love potion as revenge? i mean, he could just constantly fail while attempting or something. i don't know. it was just a thought. ]

"No you won't. You'll love me," Remus replied easily, his smirk never fading. "You'll be too busy trying to kiss me to even think about killing me." He tilted his head as he watched her, liking the way that she smiled. This felt good, being able to joke around and tease one another. It had been awhile since he'd felt this relaxed. It had been even longer since he felt like he was actually having fun. "Is it bad that I kind of want to do it now?"

---

"Yeah, around there," Lily breathed out, looking up at him with wide eyes. "I never really, really uh realized it until now. I mean, I always felt jealous when girls were practically hanging off of you and kind of liked it when you hung around me, but I - Yeah." She cut herself off, acutely aware of how she was embarrassing herself. "Okay?" She questioned, not realizing what he was doing until his lips were on hers. She instantly shifted forward, stepping closer as she kissed him back.