The next day, James had attempted to apologise again, but Lily ignored him like he didn't even exist. Mrs. Evans was extremely troubled that Lily and James weren't speaking to each other, though she still wasn't told about the prophecy of Lily and James marrying, so she didn't fret all day. Mr. Evans always raised his eyebrows questioningly at either James or Lily whenever they passed him throughout that day. Petunia was out with her Dursley friends, Marge and Vernon, for a week, because she didn't want to hang around the house with eight "freaks". And so, it was only Evans, and Lily's friends at the lonely residence.

After a hearty breakfast of blueberry pancakes, muffins, and scrambled eggs, Arabella had cornered Lily on the way to her room.

"You have to accept James' apology," she begged. "He's been trying to apologize to you all yesterday and today so far. And you call Sirius and me stubborn!"

"Potter just can't stop insulting me, can he, even after I invited him to my house!" rambled Lily. "I mean, really, I 'dislike' him, and yet I was kind enough, out of the generosity of my heart, to invite him here for the whole summer."

"Well, he did invite you to his mansion last summer," added Arabella timidly.

Lily looked as if she were about to explode. "Yes, I suppose he did, but we were on good terms then..." She trailed off, knowing that she had lost the verbal battle.

Arabella snorted. "Lils, you've never been on good terms with James, ever."

"Better terms than now, then," she said quickly.

"Better terms with who?" asked Sirius, who saw his friend and girlfriend discussing seriously at the front of Lily's room.

"Lily's not going to accept James' apology," said Arabella, sighing. "If only she was slightly less stubborn now—"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Really, Flower, Jamie didn't mean any harm; he never does. He just never thinks before he speaks, so he injures so many people emotionally. Don't worry, if you think you're suffering, then think again, because he is too. He kept me, Remie, and Pete up all last night moaning and complaining that you will never forgive him, and that Harry will never be born. It was mostly just rambles, but it did keep me from my beauty sleep. And Remus hates to be interrupted from his sleep."

"Well, I'm sorry if you didn't get enough sleep last night," said Lily sincerely, "but it wasn't my fault; it was Potter's, so don't blame me."

"What was my fault?" They turned around to see James peering at the threesome curiously.

"Mind your own business, Potter," snapped Lily nastily.

James was taken aback. "Whoa, I didn't mean to offend you there, Ms. Popular. I was only trying to find Sirius so we can discuss some private matters." He emphasised the last two words.

"Well, go ahead, take him, I've no need for him," said Lily coldly.

As soon as James reached the room where he was sharing with the other three boys, he slammed the door angrily behind him.

"I can't stand Evans!" he bellowed.

Remus and Peter were startled. "James, calm down," said Remus.

"I can't, Remie. For God's sake, why won't that girl just accept my apology? I didn't mean what I said, honest!"

"Perhaps she's just sick of you teasing and taunting her, James," said Remus softly. "Maybe you guys should—become friends. Give her a break, for heaven's sake. You guys are arguing every day about something."

"I can't help that she's so disagreeable."

"James, Lily will accept your apology when she's ready," said Sirius seriously. "In the meantime, what about our Animagi potion? It said in the book, How to Become Animagi that it takes nearly half a year to prepare the potion for drinking. So, we need to get a move on if we're actually going to become Animagi before we graduate from Hogwarts."

"Sirius," said Remus quietly, "do you think it wise to become Animagi at all? I mean, I know we've gotten this far, but—it's dangerous become Animagi just for me. What if someone finds out that you're illegal Animagi, since you wouldn't be in the chart? And—it's not worth being arrested just for me." He looked down at his feet.

James was the first one to speak up. "Remus, we'd do anything for you. We're your friends, and we really want to help you. I mean, I know how hard it is being a werewolf, since there are so many dense people in this world who are prejudiced against werewolves. So, we want to make your worst experiences the best ones you'll ever have in your life." He went over to embrace Remus like the brother he was.

Remus smiled at James, with tears in his eyes. "Thanks, James. You know"—he looked around at Sirius and Peter—"you guys are really the best friends I've ever had and will ever have. I never knew that this world would have such good people who don't judge me by what I am, but judge me by who I am. You guys are the best." The four boys went into a tight embrace, until they were met with the amused eyes of the four girls.

"Well, if this isn't such a nice little reunion," said Lily, laughing. But when they walked closer, she saw that Remus had tears in his eyes.

"Remus? Why are you crying?" asked Jennifer, alarmed.

Remus smiled. "It's nothing, Jenny. The weather's just a bit humid, and Sirius here—er—fed me an onion, so—er—I started to have tears in my eyes." He said the first excuse that came into his mind.

"Oh." Jennifer didn't look as if she believed him but didn't push him in further discussion. "We just wanted to ask if you guys wanted to go shopping with us."

"Shopping?" repeated James. "Shopping for what?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "Just plain shopping, Potter. Honestly, you don't expect me to wear the same clothes as I did last year, do you?"

"Well, that's what we fellows all do," replied James shrugging.

"Well, are you coming or not?" asked Arabella impatiently.

The four boys looked at each other and somewhat through telepathy, came up with an answer. "All right, we're going," said Peter.

"Good," said Lily, grinning. "Then we can get you guys some decent Muggle clothing, since Sirius here is still wearing some sort of opera singer's dress. Mum nearly had a heart attack yesterday when she saw a boy wearing a dress."

Jennifer laughed. "I know...you see? You guys entertain this whole household! You four are great!"

"You mean the three of them, Jen," said Lily, her eyes turning coldly towards James. "Surely, Potter, you don't think you stand a chance in being a part of the Marauder group, do you?"

"I am the one who came up with the group and the group name, Evans," said James icily.

"Oh, what an accomplishment, I'm sure it took ages," said Lily sarcastically.

Violet looked nervously between the two and said, "Er—perhaps we should start going."

Lily looked at her friend. "Yeah, you're right, Vi, we should get going. Come, Potter, let's go. I mean, you seriously need new clothes—just look at them now!"

"There's nothing wrong with my—" began James, but Lily cut him off.

"Well, what are you waiting for, hurry up, chop, chop!"

James rolled his eyes. Evans is one heck of a girl – and she's as stubborn as a mule, too.

"Ouch!" cried Remus, as Jennifer piled another bag in his arms. "Really, Jenny, I think this is enough.

"Enough? Remus Lupin, are you mad? A girl can never have enough clothes!" cried Jennifer, as she eyed "Victoria's Secret" eagerly.

Lily dragged her two meagre bags. "Come on, Jen, I'm not exactly the richest person in the world. You're not spending all my money, you know."

"I can lend you some," offered James in a small voice.

Lily shot him a nasty look. "I don't need your charity, thank you very much, Potter."

"It's not charity, I'm always willing to help a fr—" James stopped talking and put his hand to his mouth, horrified at what he had just said.

"Help a what, exactly?" asked Lily suspiciously.

"Er—never mind," he said quickly.

Lily shrugged. "Fine then. Wow"—she looked around the mall in a daze—"I can't believe we're actually in our fourth year now. I mean, time sure flies."

"Yeah..." said Jennifer dreamily. "I met the only boy I'll ever love in my whole life at Hogwarts." She smiled at Remus, who flushed bright red.

James sighed. If only I will find my true love at Hogwarts like my friends.