Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

It had been years since Lily had last visited Hogsmeade. She knew she was in the right place from the moment she Apparated near the station when she saw smoke billowing from the hill nearest the Shrieking Shack. Lily had nothing more then a sweater for protection against the crisp summer breeze and was looking forward to standing by the large broomstick fire.

Walking towards the hill, she noticed several brooms zooming around the tall flames. Shaking her head she already knew who was on them.

"Black!" Lily yelled once she was in among the crowd. Someone stopped opposite the flames and then flew above where Lily was standing.

"Evans! Glad you could make it!"

"Are you sure that's entirely safe?"

Sirius considered for a moment. "Not at all! What's your point?"

Lily laughed. "That was my point!"

"That's why I invited you, you see? You're the designated Healer. Don't go too far someone is bound to fall off these brooms soon or later."

Someone called Sirius back into their game. "See you on the ground!" and he flew off.

Lily shook her head and looked around. She immediately recognized Frank Longbottom as he walked toward her.

"Lily Evans! When did you get back?" Frank came and gave Lily a hug.

"A little less than a week ago. How are you, Frank?"

"Wonderful, wonderful. Alice will be so happy to see you."

"You two are still...?"

"Yep, we were married, how long now?" he questioned Alice as she walked up, "a hundred years?"

"More like two," Alice laughed. "How good to see you again Lily." She also hugged her. "What brings you back?"

"I was transferred to St. Mungo's."

"Really? Why hasn't Frank seen you there? He should have his own bed by now."

"She's only been here a week, luv. I haven't been there in at least two."

Alice frowned. "No, I suppose you're right. So Lily, have you seen James yet?"

Lily had expected this question. "Yes, we spoke a few days ago."

They nodded, expecting more. Lily continued, "And, I really haven't seen him since."

Alice was outraged. "You haven't seen him since? Did you hear that Molly!" She had just walked up with a child on her hip, "James hasn't come to see her yet!"

Molly was also outraged. "How? That boy will have nothing to do with manners. Still thinks everything will come to him, doesn't want to work for a thing. Hello, Lily dear, it's nice to see you back."

"I'm glad to be back Molly," Lily held out her hand to the boy clutching Molly. "Who is this young man?" Lily smiled.

"This would be Percy. Hellious little thing, can't leave him alone for a second," Molly smiled down at Percy.

"Are the others at home?" Alice asked.

"Others?" said Lily.

Molly laughed. "Charlie and Bill are running around with Arthur somewhere I suspect."

"About that Molly, dear," Arthur came up beside his wife.

"Yes...where are Bill and Charlie?"

"Well, you see..."

"I leave you alone for one minute! Never mind, they can't have gone far. I'll catch up with you later, Lily." She waved good-bye and followed Arthur into the crowd.

Lily looked up just to see Sirius go flying off the front of his broom. The people who saw gasped and Lily rolled her eyes. Alice laughed. "Suppose you have to go see if he's alright."

"I suppose I do." Lily walked towards the spot where Sirius was lying on the ground.

"Didn't I warn you?"

Sirius looked up at her. "I don't think I can feel my arm."

"Serves you right."

A man landed beside Lily.

"Who had Sirius?"

Lily turned to the man. James landed on the other side of her.

"I did, Ludo."

"Excellent choice, Potter! I suppose you would know him better than anyone." Ludo Bagman handed James his winnings and yelled out, "Potter wins first round, the second round begins when we take off. Place your bets!"

Someone yelled out in the crowd. "Two galleons Black will fall off again!"

Ludo smiled and walked up collecting the money. Lily turned to James who now had a pouch of at least ten galleons. "You're betting on who'll fall?"

"These are sketchy brooms, Lily, what else are we suppose to do?"

Lily was going to start yelling at James, but Sirius cut her off. "Glad to see that I didn't let you down, Prongs. Now Lily, if you don't mind, my right knee is bleeding rather profusely."

Lily looked down at him. "It's just a scratch."

"But it's bleeding."

"You'll live."

"But you are a Healer! You are supposed to heal me!"

James nodded in agreement, but took off when Lily glared at him.

"Get back on your broom, and next time spare me the trouble of talking to you and land on your head." Lily walked away.

Sirius stood up and followed Lily wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"I'm sorry Lily; you wouldn't have come if you knew what we were doing."

"That's right, so now I'm going home. I'm sure Jane's here somewhere, she can be your Healer."

Sirius' nose turned up. "Jane?"

Lily smiled and stopped walking. "You don't like her, do you?"

"What? When did I say that?"

Lily continued to smile and waved him off. "Good night, Sirius."

"No, Lily wait! You have to stay; I threw this party for you."

Lily laughed. "No, you threw it so you would have an excuse to drink."

"But you haven't seen me yet," Remus came up beside Sirius.

Sirius smiled. "Yes, you haven't seen Remus yet."

Lily sighed dramatically. "I suppose I could stay and see Remus, but after that..."

"I'll walk you home," Remus smiled.

Sirius went back to the game and Lily pulled Remus into a hug.

"I'm glad you're back, Lily," Remus smiled holding her at arms length. "Rome has done wonders for you."

Lily laughed. "It's a miracle what sun can do to a person."

"You're living proof."

They walked back toward the fire. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Lily!"

"What's the thing with Jane and Sirius?"

Remus message the bridge of his nose. "Anything but that."

Lily shrugged. "I didn't get the feeling he likes her and I can't see why not."

Remus laughed. "I suppose you don't see it, do you?"

"What don't I see?"

"She's you, Lily."

She stopped walking. "Don't be silly, Remus. No one can be me, I am unique."

Remus waved his hand. "I know, sure you're unique, but have you seen Jane? She's a spitting image of you but with blue eyes."

"Then why does Sirius not like her?"

Remus smiled. "The sun was clearly not so good for your brain. Sirius doesn't like Jane because she's too much like you. He thinks James is trying to replace you, with her."

"Well that's stupid."

"Tell him that," Remus nodded to the flying figure of Sirius.

"I intend to!" She began to walk closer to where he was flying.

"Not yet, Lily. You'll make him fall off and the guy who bet on him is a really wanker."

James threw the last of the brooms into the fire and Sirius yelled, "We the Marauders have saved this...England and Ireland from a terrible epidemic of brooms! You may pay us in drinks or pleasurable company." Sirius was swarmed by women.

Jane came and stood beside James.

"Are you my pleasurable company?"

"I could be," Jane winked.

James laughed and then threw his arm around her shoulders pulling her closer.

"Did you see Lily here?"

James nodded.

"Are you going to talk to her?"

"I don't think so. We've kinda run out of things to say."

Jane laughed. "I don't think that's possible."

James sighed. "It is if you're us."

Jane looked up. "I don't understand."

James smiled. "If you had any idea about the history that Lily and I share, it's not surprising how you can run out of things to say to each other."

"And this history you speak of..."

"Another time, Janey. I don't want it to spoil my night."