So terribly sorry for the huge wait (does that count as a pun? Changing the subject, oops) I had this major block where every time I tried to continue, the page would just stare back at me blankly. I can hear you going "excuses, excuses", and you'd be right to, of course. But I'm sure you don't want me to go on either about how sorry I am for making you wait so long, so… chapter?

Rose Jean Black: See? See? It's finally up! Jily time should be coming up soon (counting in chapters, not time, because, honestly… yeah. :s )

Letting in on the secret

Or

Negotiations (as to how to get there)

"We have to think through this?" Sirius moaned half an hour later, as they were seated in the Gryffindor common room.

"Well, obviously, you won't," Remus answered. "Wouldn't want to brain-damage you more, now, would we?"

"Hey! I resent that!"

"You shouldn't, Beater de mon coeur," Marlene said maliciously as she walked over to them.

Sirius held his hands to his heart dramatically. "You're declaring your undying love to me in French? I couldn't dream for more!"

"Yeah, because obviously your dreams are so sweet and romantic," she countered. Sirius opened his mouth, but then decided shutting up was probably the better option. "So," she continued when Sirius didn't reply, "what are you actually trying─ note the emphasis ─ to think about?"

"It's a secret, Mar," James answered. "Well, more like a surprise. So, we can't tell you. Sorry."

"Lily!" Marlene shouted. "Could you come here for a sec'?"

"What is it?" the red-head asked from her seat on the window-sill, raising her head from the book she was currently reading.

"That's unfair, Marlene!" James exclaimed. "I will not submit." He crossed his arms as if to block her out. Lily made her way to the Marauders, ignoring James' antics.

"So, what do I have to extort from him?" she asked mischievously: she was always up for torturing James─ a side-effect of the continual nagging she had received from him all fifth-year.

"No, no, no, no…" James sang, blocking his ears with his hands. Lily gave up too quickly for Marlene's taste, who tried to rip his hands off from his face. She failed miserably, James being too stubborn and too strong even for the Gryffindor beater.

She gave up with a "wouldn't want to break his glasses…" which made the others smirk knowingly. James let go of his ears.

"So, it looks like we need to find a more discreet place, guys. Too many people overhearing here…" Peter remarked, still smiling.

Marlene and Lily exchanged a glance. "True, Pete. We have the perfect place for you guys," Marlene said. "But it's negotiable. We show you this perfect place, and you let us in on your secret."

It was the Marauders' turn to exchange glances. "We need to discuss this privately," James declared.

"Sure." Marlene smirked. She walked off with Lily to her window-sill. "We've got them," she whispered.

"Sure, we do, but… what then? What are we going to do with their secret then?" Lily frowned. She wasn't sure she liked where this was going.

"Ah… It depends on the secret, I suppose. Help them, or stop them." Marlene sighed at her friend's lack of curiosity. "They're not always bad, Lils. And, if it's good, we'll have fun. Trust me on this, yeah?"

Lily hesitated, but nodded. Marlene was usually right when the Marauders were involved. She glanced at the boys, who were talking animatedly, but silently enough so that no one would hear them.

"I say no," Sirius declared once Lily and Marlene were out of ear-shot. He crossed his arms for good measure.

"I think it's a good idea," Remus countered. "We could use the extra-thinking, and they have a 'perfect location'. We can't just rule it out."

"We don't need their supposedly 'perfect place', we have the map," Sirius argued.

"Yeah, but a room would be warmer─ if nothing else─ than a corridor, and maybe we could even leave stuff there," James reflected.

"You're agreeing because Lily would be a part of it if we told them. But even that's not a guarantee! What if they try to stop us?" Sirius asked, throwing his hands in the air, exasperated.

"You're forgetting Dumbledore gave us his consent, Padfoot," Peter remarked. "The only problem is whether they'll tell everyone or if they'll keep it secret."

"I think we can trust Marlene and Lily to keep a secret," James decided. "If need be, we'll tell them it was Dumbledore's orders, then they'll keep it for sure." He raised his hand. "I'm for it. Who else?" Peter and Remus raised their hands.

Sirius sighed and sank into his armchair. "Fine. But don't blame me if it goes wrong."

James rolled his eyes and got up. Seeing him get up, Marlene dragged Lily over. "So?" she asked eagerly.

James smiled. "You're in. But show us the room first."

"Deal. Come on, follow us," she added, walking off to the portrait, Lily on her heels. The rest of the Marauders got up, Sirius somewhat grudgingly, and followed them out of the common-room.

"Tadaa!" Marlene exclaimed in front of a wall. Lily giggled at the faces the Marauders were making. James looked like he was wondering how to break it down to Marlene that she had lost it, Remus was confused, Sirius looked furious, and Peter was looking from Lily to Marlene and back again in an attempt to make sense of it all. "Okay, now, take a step back, and close your eyes."

"What? Marlene, I swear, if you're playing with us…" Sirius warned.

"Come on, don't you trust us, Black?" Lily asked innocently. Sirius grumbled but obeyed when the other Marauders closed their eyes. "Marlene?"

"Yeah?"

"I think just the common-room would do for now, don't you think? We don't know what they need yet, and they seemed content with couches," she told her.

"What are you on about?" Sirius asked, raising an eyelid.

"No peeking!" Marlene exclaimed. He puffed but screwed his eyes shut. "You're right Lils." She walked along the wall three times, and waited until the door appeared. "You can open your eyes, boys!"

"Where did the door come from?" James asked, mystified.

"Oh, just get in," Lily told him as she opened the door and held it for them.

The room presented to them was an exact copy of the Gryffindor common-room, but without all the Gryffindors in it.

"What is this place?" Peter asked, stepping in.

Lily and Marlene took the couch, seeing as James and Sirius were too startled to claim it as theirs. "We call it the room of requirement," Lily explained. "It appears when we need something. I found it in fifth year, when Potter was chasing me around. I needed a place where I could be left alone for a while, and well… it appeared." James had the decency to look embarrassed.

Sirius just laughed. "This place is awesome!"

"Your turn," Marlene declared. "Our secret is definitely worth your secret."

The Marauders sat down. "Before we start, I would just like to say that Dumbledore has approved of this," James told them, "and you have to swear to not tell anyone, obviously."

"I swear." Marlene's reply came instantly; she was used to the Marauder's secrecy.

Lily hesitated, but agreed. "I swear."

"Now, spill," Marlene demanded with a smirk.

Well, there you have it :D

Review, please? Even if it's just to complain about the time it took me to update… :s

Also, do you think they should add other people to their "crew"? Any idea what the trials are going to be? Who's going to be selected as champion (especially for Gryffindor, since the Marauders can't compete…) ?

I'd love to hear what you think!