Mercy leaned into Lily, eyes focused on the Marauders - excluding Remus. "Don't you think they've been acting weird?"

"They're always weird," Dorcas retorted.

"But... James and Sirius haven't been talking much as of late," Mercy added.

Lily coughed. "It's really not my business what James does," she muttered.

"You say that because you like him now," Emmeline retorted.

"I do not like him!"

"You have to admit he's more mature now," Dorcas said.

"Well, I can't deny that," said Lily. "But - it doesn't matter! I'm finally free from Potter's game."

"I don't really think it was a game," Mercy mumbled.

"Well, what about you? You still like Sirius, don't you?" Lily asked, avoiding the issue at hand.

Mercy frowned. "It's not like we've talked much. There's no point in if I like him or not."

"There is a point," Dorcas said. "If he ends up liking you - "

"It won't happen," Mercy reassured. "No one would fall for plain me or damaged me. They all believe in those stupid rumors - which might not be rumors, after all."

"Shut up," Emmeline hissed. "Don't listen to those fucking rumors, Mercy. They're just a load of rubbish. You're starting to sound like a load of rubbish too, so stop."

Mercy pouted. "You're so mean. You know how fragile I am."

Emmeline rolled her eyes. "Fragile, my arse. You're the one who wants Black's dick up your - "

Mercy shrieked, standing up from the small tree they were sitting under. The Marauders, who were sitting at the large tree they claimed since their the first year at Hogwarts, looked up, finding Mercy waving her arms around and tackling Emmeline to the ground.

"Catfight?" James asked.

Lily and Dorcas pried Mercy off, leaving a laughing Emmeline on the ground, clutching her stomach. Mercy pouted and threw her shoe at her.

Then, Sirius noticed the gang of Slytherins approaching them.

"It's Snivellus and Crouch," Sirius spat.

James's eyes hardened. Sirius and James shared a look before getting up and walking over to them. Peter followed after them.