Hello Fam :)

A/N: So, there has been so much going on in my personal and professional life that I couldn't get back to writing. I started again, although slowly. So, I might update once in a while whenever I find some time to write. I still have a few chapters of this book. So, let's see. 

Happy Reading...

James felt surreal as he walked alongside Lily on his way back to the castle. He still couldn't believe she agreed to be his girlfriend. His girlfriend. He never thought it would become a reality since he was twelve.

Lily cleared her throat to bring him back to the present. "So, how do you want to announce it to everyone?"

James glanced at her before thinking. "We could first announce it to our friends and see how they take it? You know, they might think it's a big prank because why would you go out with me?"

Lily shrugged. "Because you are smart, loyal and would go to any level to keep those close to you safe from any harm, small or big. Also, you are handsome in a very athletic way. That helps, too."

James did not blush. At all. It was just the morning sun that was heating his cheeks up.

When they entered Gryffindor Tower, they found their friends sitting in the common room. After the news about Voldemort's attack, most of the parents of, whoever students were remaining, took their kids home. Hogwarts was almost deserted.

James realized it was the perfect time to announce it to their friends. In a total Gryffindor-ish way, he turned his face and planted a kiss on Lily's cheek. The dorm room never felt this quieter. Before Lily could either hex him or answer her friends, Sirius stood between the two, pulling James slightly behind him.

"Hey, Evans. I apologize on his behalf. He hadn't seen me since he woke up in the morning and accidentally kissed you, thinking it was me", explained Sirius.

"Sirius", hissed James.

Sirius rolled his eyes dramatically before turning to James, completely hiding him from Lily. "Jamie boy, I know you love me the most, and you lose your head when you go on without talking to me the first thing in the morning, but I am totally here, darling. You can kiss me any time you want", he said and to prove his point, he smashed a kiss on James's cheek.

James gaped at him before turning to his friends. Lily was trying to hide her laughter. The girls were confused, and so was Peter. Remus, who clearly had an idea that Sirius was bullshitting everyone in order to save James from getting hexed by Lily, was a moment away from facepalming himself.

Finally, it was Lily who took pity on James because Sirius was now trying to hide James in his arms as he hugged the boy suffocatingly tight. She patted Sirius on his back, freeing James from him, before kissing James right in front of all their friends.

"Guys, when did this happen?", asked Sirius, forcing them to break the kiss. "Is it an Easter prank? Lils, did Jay really rope you into the prank?"

Lily rolled her eyes before looping her hand around James's arm. "As cute as it is to think that your thoughts are in complete sync with James, we are in a relationship, Sirius. I haven't lost my mind yet to play a sick prank to make you believe."

After a moment's shock, the girls squealed before rushing to congratulate the two. Peter followed them, and Remus hugged James first.

"Congratulations, Prongs", said Remus.

"Thanks, Moons", replied James, grinning like a loon.

Remus nodded before the smile slid off his face as he turned to Lily. "Lily, my condolences are with you. And I promise you, whenever you need to vent off your frustration or need a shoulder, I will be there."

Lily chuckled at him, and James punched his back.

"That hurts, Moony."

"What?", asked Remus. "I need to keep her safe and sane. She is my partner in dealing with your stupidity."

When Lily just laughed louder and looped an arm around Remus, James glared at the two before turning to Sirius for support. Sirius had a frown on his face, which caught James's attention. "Hey, you okay? I am sorry, I didn't tell you. But it was just spontaneous."

"What?", asked Sirius, confused, before shaking his head. He pulled James aside from the crowd, and everyone just gave them their privacy, being used to the two for years. "Jay, are you sure about this?"

"Yeah?", said James. "You know I have been in love with her since I was eleven."

"I know. But", said Sirius, before stopping. "Jay, I don't want you to be heartbroken."

Like me was unsaid, but James heard it clearly. "Siri, seeing Voldemort that close, I was scared of losing everyone close to me. I have been thinking about it, and I just asked her again. Lily was scared to lose me, too, and she just agreed. We know the circumstances in which we got into a relationship, and I would either protect her with everything I have or die trying."

"I would lose my mind if I lost you", muttered Sirius.

James pulled him by the back of his neck into his arms. "Hey, how about we kill the crazy lord before we lose any more lives?"

Sirius just nodded into his shoulder. Breaking the hug, Sirius made a beeline toward Lily and engulfed her in his arms. "I knew you would come around, Lily-bean. Don't break my boy's heart."

"You mean the heart that already belongs to you", teased Lily.

Sirius smiled, shyly, rubbing the back of his neck. "That too."

XXX

The Gryffindors were at the breakfast table when Charles Potter flopped down beside James and greeted the kids. "What's up, children? How are you all holding up?"

"We are fine, Mr. Potter", said Lily.

As he and Lily made small talk, Sirius pulled James's shirt sleeve, a panicked expression on his face. "Jay, I am so sorry."

"What's wrong, Siri?"

"I wanted to escape from here, and I might have written a letter early in the morning to Mr. P asking him to come and get me", he whispered.

"You did?", asked James, grinning widely. "You know what this means?"

"I ruined your plan to spend your time with your new girlfriend?", answered Sirius.

James rolled his eyes before ruffling his hair. "No, baby. You seeking an adult out when you aren't feeling good instead of masking your emotions like Wal-burger wants you to."

"Is it okay if I go alone with him? I guess he came here as a response to my letter?"

"I am not leaving you alone. We are going together", said James.

"What about Lily? You just got into a relationship with her", asked Sirius.

"Doesn't mean I would leave you. She will be fine here", asked James.

Before Sirius could protest further, Charles cleared his throat, gaining their attention. "Glad to have your attention on me, boys. So, I heard there is a development in your holiday plan."

James nodded, grinning. "Lily and I are in a relationship now", he blurted out.

Charles had a surprised look on his face as he looked between the new couple. "I was talking about Sirius and James accompanying me to France for the rest of the holidays, but when did this happen?", he asked pointing between James and Lily.

"An hour back", said James.

Charles chuckled before patting Lily's head. "Welcome to the family, child."

The Gryffindors at the table hooted in response.

"So, I am planning to take Sirius home. Anyone else who needs an escape from here is welcome", said Charles, making sure all the kids on the table are included. He rolled his eyes when James's hand shot up in the air. "I am not even surprised there. Remus, Peter, what about you two?"

"I think we are fine here, Mr. Potter", said Remus.

"Which translates to he would immerse in a weird book and ignore the public for the rest of the holidays", said James.

Lily chuckled. "I will make sure he at least has his meals on time."

James shot her a grin. The full moon would be right after the holidays, and Moony would be tired of all the traveling. If Lily is there with Remus, he would be fine at least.

"Okay", said Charles, looking between Lily and Remus. "If anything changes and any of you need an escape, you can write an owl to either of these two, and I will come and get you."

XXX

Charles used the floo in Minerva's office to go with the boys to the Potter Manor in France. As soon as their feet hit the ground, Dorea engulfed the boys in her arms. Breaking the hug, she checked them for any possible injuries, even if it was absurd as they had Poppy at Hogwarts. James was the first one to wiggle out of her arms, while Sirius didn't bother to move.

"You could have come to see me, Mom", complained James. "Instead, we were all alone in the castle after facing Voldemort."

Dorea cuffed his head. "There was another attack in Diagon Alley on the same day. Most of the Aurors were there. I was at the hospital tending to the injured when I heard about the attack in Hogsmeade."

"It wasn't an attack. More like him just trying to recruit us", said Sirius, finally pulling apart.

"If you are not feeling safe, I would talk to Dumbledore and transfer both of you to Beauxbatons", said Charles.

"No, Dad. We are not running away from him", said James.

"True, Mr. P. If not Voldemort, it would be another Grindelwald here. We can't keep running away because all the wannabe Dark Lords want to take over the world", said Sirius.

"I don't want you two to go after him stupidly", warned Charles, a never seen seriousness on his face.

Both James and Sirius nodded their heads. No one saw the crossed fingers behind their backs. 

Let me know what you think of the story. What are you expecting? Anything in particular you wanted to read about Marauders?