Yeah I know I'm bad and haven't updated in ages. But then my internet was fried by a thunderstorm and I only got it back today. I hope you like this chapter, its a long one :3 Please review at the end as I would like to know how much people like or even dislike this story. And there is lots more to come :3 Oakland Dreamer xx

Chapter 2

Lily slowly walked up the stairs intending on heading straight for the common room, her mind wondering all the way. Her thoughts were all based around Sev. What was the reason for his sudden change of heart about Slughorn's parties? Has Sev asked her just because they were friends or for another reason? And more importantly, what should she wear that Sev would appreciate?

As she mulled over these questions in her head another thought came floating inter her head. She had to return a book to the library; it was due back tomorrow, so why not drop it off early? She turned down the corridor she was just about to pass and entered the door to the library half way down the corridor.

The rat looked on, saw Lily turn into the library. Judging it to be just a normal trip to the library he continued on his quest up more and more flights of stairs, until he reached the seventh floor. Here he hid in an alcove and transformed into a short fat boy whith sharp rat like features. His hair was so slimy and greasy it stuck to his scalp and his clothes needed a wash about three months ago. The boy scurried over to the Fat Lady's portrait, muttered the password and entered Gryffindor tower.

James Potter was relaxing on his bed in the dorm that he shared with his fellow Gryffindor fifth years, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. He was reading an interesting book entitled How to Charm Even the Hardest to Get Witches. He was hoping to use the insight gained from this book on Lily Evans and win her for himself. Little did he know his efforts were going to be in vain.

At the very moment that James was getting to the part in the book about what to do on a first date Peter came scurrying into the room, completely out of breath. James put down the book after marking his page and turned to the short fat boy.

"So Wormtail, what goodies did you manage to get from the kitchens this time?" James asked licking his lips, he was hungry and really fancied a good snack before bed.

"I.. Didn't... Get... That... Far... Saw... Something" The boy panted, trying to regain his breath, doubled over hands on knees.

"What could you have seen that prevented you from getting us food Wormy?" Sirius asked rising from his own bed here he had been looking at a raunchy magazine.

"Lily and Snape, in the Entrance Hall." Peter said, breath regained.

"What's so strange about that, two people are allowed to share the same space, they could just have been passing through at the same time." Sirius said

"No talking, about the Slug Club that they both belong to. They're having an end of year party and Lily asked him to take her."

"She what!" James said, jumping out of bed and rushing over to Wormtail, grabbing his shoulders and staring into his face.

"Yeah, and he said yes" Pettigrew continued.

"Why the hell would she do that when there are people like me who would make her a much better partner!" James stormed, let go of Wormtail and began to pace around the dorm angrily.

"Well they have been friends for years" Remus said, looking up from his transfiguration text book.

"Shut up Moony!" James yelled at his friend.

"Hey Prongs, there is no need to get arsey with Moony he hasn't done anything wrong." Sirius said sternly.

"I'm sorry, just thinking about Snivvily make me so mad, I just want to..." James started to imitate strangling someone.

"What are you going to do James?" asked Peter, settling himself on his bed, crossing his legs.

"Plan a way to get Lily to go with me to Slughorn's party!" James said, grinning evilly.

Lily returned to Gryffindor common room straight after leaving the library, she had only needed to drop off a book anyway. Once she had clambered through the portrait hole she main a b-line for the girl's dormitory. If there was one thing she needed know it was female companionship, advice and sleep.

Entering the dormitory Lily saw her best friends Mary and Alice sat together on Alice's bed, heads close together gossiping and giggling away. Sighing with a combination of exhaustion and happiness Lily threw he cloak onto her bed and headed over to where her friends were seated.

"Hey Lily, where have you been all this time, we were waiting up for you!" Cried Mary as she leapt up to hug her friend.

"Yeah, we have some stuff to tell you," said Alice as she also gave Lily a hug.

"Oh so have I, sorry guys I was with Sev. But you go first, what do you have to tell me." Lily asked.

The three friends clambered back onto Alice's bed, all crossing their legs, sitting in a little circle.

"So what is this that you have to tell me then," Lilly asked her friends excitedly when they were all sat cross legged on Alice's bed, a bag of sweets from Honeydukes in the middle of the trio.

"Well a couple of things really, one of them is mine and the other is Alice's," Mary started. "I'll say mine first if that's okay with Alice," Alice nodded for her to go ahead. "Today I was working through that transfiguration homework and Sirius came and sat down with me. He helped me finish the work as I was having some problems, and afterwards we sat there just talking. You know it turns out he's actually a really nice guy, not at all like that stuck up Potter. We had a lot in common and he asked me to go with him on the last Hogsmead visit of the term. Oh Alice, Lily, I'm so excited and nervous!"

It was clear to see from the expression on Mary's face and way that she played with her hands all the time that she talked about her encounter with Sirius that she really had a thing going for him. Not that any of the girls there could blame her. He was a very good looking young man, with his crinkled black hair that fell in his eyes and his aloof yet charming manner made him very appealing to many of the girls in the school, and maybe even some of the boys, well there are all sorts of people out there, even in the wizarding world.

"Oh Mary thats wonderful!" Lily exclaimed to her friend grabbing her hand with hers and holding them. "Remember just be careful, he does hang out with that toerag Potter after all. And know if he hurts you, just once we'll get him, right Alice?" Lily turned to their third friend.

"Of course," Alice smiled.

"Alice, tell us your news now," Lily said, letting go of Mary's hands and turning the puppy dog, pleading eyes on their friend Alice. Mary also turned to face her, the same expression on her face.

"Okay, okay guys, you don't have to pull the puppy dog eyes on me," Alice laughed at her friends. "Well you know Frank and I have been dating for a couple of years now? Well this summer he wants to introduce me to his mother and he wants to meet my parents! This is like the next step guys. Do you think he might be thinking of proposing to me either in the sixth or seventh year?" Alice was practically bouncing with enthusiasm.

"Oh he is going to propose, obviously girl!" Mary cried out, "But the question is when. But I think he should hurry up and get on with it otherwise he's going to lose you."

"Frank is never going to lose me," Alice cooed.

"Yeah why would he lose Alice, what are you reasons for that Mary?" Lily asked her friend.

"Oh I dunno, she's just such a beautiful girl that if her doesn't snap her up while he's got that chance then some other man will come along and try to claim her," Mary started giggling lightly at the thoughts that came into her head from her last comment.

"Oh Mary, but it's not just Alice that's beautiful, your beautiful too." Lily smiled encouragingly at her dorm and house fellow.

"Lily you're probably the most gorgeous girl in this year, hey even the entire school. I mean in comparison to you we are simple plain girls." Mary said, shrugging her shoulders.

"I know, I know. Let's agree on one thing," Alice interrupted before any argument could develop. "We're all beautiful and gorgeous and any girl on this planet would be lucky to have any of us!"

"Agreed!" The other two girls cried out before they all fell into hysterical giggles and began to tickle each other. After about ten minutes of playing around Mary's laughing finally settled down and she remembered something.

"Hey Lily," she said breathlessly, "what was the news that you were going to tell us?"

"Oh yes Lily, do tell," Alice giggled.

"Well Sev finally asked me to go to one of the Slug Club parties with him this afternoon. I'm so excited, he never goes, let alone asks me to with him. I mean this is like a date right? And what should I wear, I have so many dresses but I don't know which one would work best. I think I should try and match Sev in some way, but I don't want to make it obvious that I am trying too hard." Lily said, rushing and her eyes shining happily all the while.

"Hey girl calm down before you hyperventilate or something," Mary laughed. " Okay, it's like totally a date right Alice?" Mary turned to Alice.

"Yeah, I mean Severus really likes you, that's plain to see to anyone with a brain cell. And about what to do with the dress, I think you should just go for something that would really suit you and not worry too much about what he is going to wear and matching and all that." Alice said.

"You know what, I love having friends like you, you help me out so much and we can have fabulous gossip sessions all together and talk about clothes and shoes. Group Hug!" All the girls giggled and fell into each other, clinging and laughing happily.

The girls spent the rest of the time until lights out discussing everything from lessons and homework to boys, experiences and obviously clothes and shoes.