To anyone still interested/reading the story, thank you so much. I've been so unmotivated for ages, but reading the reviews has kicked me in the arse and back into shape.I can't remember who I replied to and who I didn't, so I'll just say a blanket thank you and reply to them from now. I'm so sorry, and I hope that you guys enjoy it. Xx

Also, super quick recap: Belle, Sirius, James and Jude (much to Sirius' dismay) went to the Potter's for Christmas, with Lily joining them on Christmas day. Belle received a strange necklace anonymously in the post. Teddy was growing suspicious of his father's recent activity, and Belle told him to try and find out what was going on. We rejoin them as they have headed back to Hogwarts to celebrate New Years Eve.

Belle's POV.

I own a soul-sucking piece of jewellery. That was the only explanation I could come up with after a week of trying the necklace on, and then instantly feeling depressed or pleasantly snapping at people.

Won't that be a nice heirloom to pass down to the grandchildren?

Seriously, all you have to do is pop on the necklace and then it's instant hate.

Which is just typical. It couldn't have been instant intelligence or even happiness. No, that would be entirely too convenient and useful.

Not to mention the fact that it beat like a freaking heart.

What the devil was this mystery person playing at, sending me death-eater like jewellery?

Whoever it was is clearly a few ingredients short of a potion. Which is exactly what you want in an apparent stalker. Someone nice and unstable.

This necklace was adding an unnecessary layer of confusion in my life that threatened to uproot the precarious nature of my fragile psyche, so I'd left it at the Potter's before we all headed back to Hogwarts, in order to preserve my sanity.

It wasn't working.

Does this person have any idea what they're doing?

I'd blame Voldemort if I wasn't pretty sure that harassing teenage girls wasn't part of his creepy agenda. Though I suppose, his hatred for muggleborns could be a scapegoat for his real evil plans: sending things anonymously to teenagers, to scare them a little bit.

I should tell Dumbledore.

Someone has to do something before this gets out of control.

"Belle?" Sirius called, and there was a microsecond before his hand was waving frantically in front of my face "Belle? Oh gods, we've lost her. Quick! Someone get smelling salts!"

"Sirius, you muppet," I laughed, pulling his hand down "I was thinking. A foreign concept to you, I know, but some of us like to indulge in it now and again."

"What were you thinking about?" He just smiled as we continued to walk up the main street of Hogsmeade, smiling at a few of the other students milling about.

McGonagall, after a full week of having the Marauders harass her throughout every corridor in the school, finally relented into letting those of us at school for the rest of the holidays have a Hogsmeade excursion.

It was a good thing to, as the next phase of the Marauders plans involved hiding in her bedroom.

Which I'm sure could only have ended well.

"Nothing." I replied as nonchalantly as I could, knowing that the necklace was a sore subject with Sirius.

He was still afraid that I had at least ten secret admirers lurking about just plotting to break us up.

Clearly not as rational as my 'Voldemort hates adolescent girls and/or gold jewellery' idea. He needs to step up his game.

"Ah! Here we go." He called as we arrived at Party Pandemonium, the party supply store in Hogsmeade.

It was the day of the Marauders infamous New Years' Eve bash, and we had been sent by a reluctant Remus to go pick up his favourite gold tablecloths.

He didn't quite trust us with this sacred task, as he loved the decoration like it was his own child.

I was half-expecting to find him stroking it whispering "My precious" softly. That's how crazy things have gotten around here.

But, it was apparently tradition that it featured at a Marauder party, so Sirius and I had to waste our Hogsmeade day tracking down material, neither one of us willing to risk arguing with Remus over it.

"Let's pray for our sake that they have them," I muttered grimly, my mind unwillingly casting back to when Peter couldn't get the right brand of Butterbeer, and Remus almost popped a vein before having his wand temporarily confiscated.

Which was for the safety of all those unfortunate enough to be in the library at the time. The poor first years would be scarred for life, and I'd never seemed Madame Pince move so quickly, as she attempted to jump in front of every book in sight in order to shield them.

It was good to know she had her priorities in order.

Remus and James were planning the party, as the two most organised Marauders, and they had transformed at an alarming rate from ordinary, sane people into freakish, Bridezilla-esque beings.

The house elves almost held a revolt against James when he kept changing his mind about the catering.

It's scary how fast they can turn a wooden spoon into a weapon. No wonder Sirius has nightmares about his.

And then there was the debate between the two over whether the music playing would be predominantly wizard or muggle.

They woke the whole of Gryffindor Tower up at 2am, with everyone believing that we were being attacked by a troll.

"There you are, dears." The party-shop lady said as she handed over our parcel, and we headed back outside into the cold.

"Thank Merlin," Sirius grinned, grabbing my hand as we headed back towards school "I really didn't fancy having to comfort a crying Remus if they were sold out."

We headed up the street in silence for a while, before stopping dead when we noticed who was before us.

This was just perfect.

Teddy seemed to feel just as awkward, casting his eyes about frantically, before practically sprinting into the nearest side alley.

Subtle. Really didn't notice you there, dear brother.

Unfortunately, this behaviour wasn't so unusual for him nowadays. I once entered the Great Hall at the same time as him and I swear he started having heart palpitations.

He only calmed down when dessert appeared and he could eat some comfort ice-cream.

"He's still avoiding you then?" Sirius asked, rolling his eyes when he saw Teddy's head poke out of his new hiding place, checking whether we had moved on or were planning to ambush him.

"Yep." I sighed, giving Teddy a slightly mocking wave "One minute we're soul sisters, the next he's acting like I have spattergroit. It's freaking me out how much I miss his random appearances. The boy had a flair for dramatic timing."

"You don't have spattergroit, do you?" Sirius exclaimed in mock-horror, "I wonder if there's room for both of us in that alley?"

"Nice," I chuckled, walking off in a huff "It's good to know how much you really care. Every girl dreams of a boyfriend who would disappear at the first sign of illness."

"That stuff's contagious, dear." He laughed, jogging to catch up and throwing an arm over my shoulders.

"So," Sirius continued hesitantly, pulling me through the school gates "You didn't get a chance to ask him if he, I don't know, happened to have any clue as to where the necklace came from?"

I rolled my eyes, preparing to answer, but it soon froze in my throat as I noticed Lily Evans power marching at an inhuman pace towards us.

It's official. All students at Hogwarts must now be clinically insane.

"Oh Merlin," I moaned, pulling Sirius for cover behind a tree "They got to her. We never should have left her alone with Remus and James. Well, it's too late for me. You transform into your Animagus form and run."

Sirius looked as though he were seriously considering it, and bit back a shriek as Lily popped around the tree.

How did she find us in our ingenious hiding place?

"What did you say that weird necklace you got looked like?" Lily asked, panting for breath as she gathered herself.

What was with everyone and this necklace. The rumour mill at Hogwarts must be really slow. I guess Angie Goodman hadn't broken up with anyone in a while. But still, Snape's hair is greasier than ever. That has to count for something.

"Gold, heavy, snake-like." I answered, confused about this recent inquisition.

Maybe Sirius has requested her Holmes skills of deduction in this latest case. I wouldn't put it past him, he had taken to hiding it in inconvenient places so that I could never wear it.

"Ugly." Sirius grumbled, eyeing off a fourth year Ravenclaw who was walking past, and who Sirius now clearly suspected of giving me the necklace.

If we don't get to the bottom of this soon, I fear we may have a Lord of the Flies situation on our hands.

Lily frowned "That's what I thought. I heard Snape talking about a necklace just like that."

"Snape?" Sirius and I both declared, him murderously and I disbelievingly.

Snape was already stalking Lily. Surely his time management skills weren't that good that he was able to slot me in as well.

What did I do to you, Merlin, that caused you to take vengeance this way?

"Yes," Lily rolled her eyes at Sirius, who had taken out his wand "He was talking about how it had been stolen. How 'they' had who did it, and whoever they are is in serious trouble, but that the necklace was lost."

"Scary," I replied suspiciously, casting my eyes about for Voldemort, half-expecting to see him standing about with binoculars as he watched the havoc he had wreaked with his evil adolescent-hating plan.

"How do you know all this?" Sirius asked Lily somewhat accusingly, either afraid that she had rekindled her friendship with Snape, or that she was in cahoots with him and was a double agent this whole time.

"Sirius Black," came the frustrated voice of James Potter, ringing out from Sirius' jean pocket "Where have you been? I knew we never should have sent them to get it, Remus. They've probably been off snogging this whole time."

"Oi," Sirius replied indignantly at James' face through his two way mirror, as Lily covered a laugh, looking slightly relieved she could avoid Sirius' question "We only snogged some of the time, thank you very much. And we got your precious tablecloths, but maybe we'll hold them hostage until you can treat us nicely."

"They have it Remus!" James called triumphantly, a smug grin appearing as he barked out more orders "Pads, get your arse back here with them to help set up. Belles, you and Lily go down to the kitchens and start transporting the food."

Forget loony bin. Hogwarts is starting to feel more like an army camp.

I'm surprised that James hasn't conjured a clip-board and a whistle to make it more official.

"Why can't you do it?" Lily asked suspiciously, holding back a smile when James' face coloured.

"I- ah- don't really feel like going down to that part of the castle, Lily dearest," He replied in a would-be casual voice, as he picked at his jumper "Heard there was a terrible Boggart infestation."

Laughing, I accused "You've been banned from the kitchens, haven't you? The house elves finally had enough."

"Who told you?" He cried, scowling as he shut off the connection when we all burst into raucous laughter.

A good while later, when we had finished laughing at James' expense, Sirius said "I better get going. I'm sure Remus can't be separated from his long lost love much longer."

Giving him a quick kiss as he left, Lily and I headed across the grounds to the courtyard, finally making our way to the kitchens.

"So, how are you and James?" I asked remembering that we had never debriefed about her and James at Christmas.

"Good," Lily answered with a tiny smile "I don't know, I- I think I like him. Ever since we went Christmas shopping in Hogsmeade. Before he punched your boyfriend in the face, that is."

I stopped in the middle of the corridor, staring at her in disbelief as what she just said sunk in.

Sweet mother of Godric Gryffindor. I'd done it.

A quick scan at Lily's nervous face confirmed it. I really was a miracle worker. I'd gotten Lily Evans to fall for James Potter.

I completely expect a statue and a parade to be created in my honour. Maybe even a public holiday.

And they said it was impossible. I resisted the urge to let off fireworks or hang a banner from the Astronomy Tower.

All in good time.

"Lils," I began seriously "You have to tell him. You also have to make sure that I'm there, so I can see him freak out. Actually, it's probably best if you tell him in the Hospital Wing, seeing as we'll most probably have to cart him there afterwards."

"How am I supposed to just tell him?" She replied in an anguished voice, turning sharply into the corridor that would lead us to the kitchens.

"Have you tried 'James, I like you'?" I answered, ducking as she aimed a swat at my arm.

A simple no would have sufficed. No need to get all violent on me.

"Very funny," She said sardonically, before chewing her lips in renewed nerves.

If James could see this moment, he would die on the spot. Or cry.

In fact, I wouldn't put it past him to do both at the same time.

He'll probably ask me for the memory later and break into Dumbledore's office to watch it in his pensieve.

"Why don't you tell him tonight at the party?" I asked, reaching my hand up to tickle the pear in the painting.

She looked unsure as we clambered into the kitchens, silently agreeing to take out our wands in case the House elves attacked us due to our association with James.

He was just that skilled at annoying people.

Growing up, we never had the same babysitter twice.

"Hello misses," a House Elf called cheerfully, big eyes shining up at us "How can we help you?"

"Erm," Lily said nervously, prolonging the moment when she would have to reveal who sent us "We're here to collect food for the Gryffindor party tonight?"

We both sighed in relief as the House elf scurried away, hopefully to get the food and not to send for back up.

I really wasn't emotionally prepared for a war with another species.

To ease my building suspicions, centring on House Elves and poisoned food, I decided to find out more about this cursed necklace "How did you overhear Snape talking about all this stuff with the necklace?"

"Oh," Lily cried, flinching when an elf whipped out a knife to chop onions "He was talking to Dolohov in the corridor. I couldn't listen to all of it though, because Dolohov saw me."

It figures that he'd be involved in this somehow. Whenever there's a nefarious plot, he eventually turns up.

Like a niffler to gold.

The poor house elf returned with a heap of parcels, handing them off to us with a slight scowl.

She had clearly realised that we were sent by James. Time to smooth things over, before irreparable damage between races occurred.

"Thank you, so much." I said, gathering up the bundles so that we could leave as quickly as possible.

"Really, we're so grateful." Lily added, pushing the door open with an unforseen amount of force.

Then we both ran like a scorned Hippogriff was chasing us, those things get nasty, attempting not to drop all of the food before we got back to the Common Room.

"We're going to be late!" Lily cried, catching a glimpse of the clock tower through a window as we passed it.

"I sincerely hope not, or Remus and James may just take up with Filch on his campaign to re-legalise medieval torture." I panted, relief bubbling as the Fat Lady's portrait came into sight.

That relief soon bust like a balloon, as the faint sounds of Sirius' favourite wizard band 'The Thanes of Cawdor', were emitting from behind the Fat Lady's Portrait.

The party had started. We were doomed.

"Okay," Lily begun grimly "I say, we burst in, throw the food onto the tables, and hide."

"Deal," I replied, shaking her hand with some difficulty, as I shuffled food around in my arms.

I knew I should have seriously considered James' idea of becoming ambidextrous.

"Belladonna." Lily supplied the password to the Fat Lady, who just giggled as she swung open, humming along to the song playing.

We stopped dead at the sight that greeted us. It looked as though a plague had torn through the Common Room, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.

At least ten students were scattered around passed out, one boy was even lying on top of a cupboard, whilst the rest stumbled in a strange imitation of dancing.

Clearly, Peter decided to go for Firewhisky rather than the dodgy brand of Butterbeer.

It was a mistake.

We were seriously lucky that McGonagall hadn't turned up and had a coronary on the spot. And then proceeded to throw everyone in detention for the rest of our natural born lives.

"Babes!" James cried, tripping on the leg of the couch as he rushed over to wrap me in a hug "You made it!"

We swayed uncomfortably on the spot, or rather, I was uncomfortable, James looked as though he were tearing up at this precious moment between us.

"Er-Are you alright, James?" Lily asked, placing the food down on nearby table and attempting to pry James away from me.

"Lily darling!" He cried, eyes shining with happiness as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Oh, sweet Circe," She moaned, pushing him away "You're drunk. James, we're Heads, how could you let this happen? We're going down for this. They're going to take our badges and everything. Why, James?"

"I'm fine," he hiccoughed over Lily's now hyperventilating speech, before grinning and declaring "I love this song!"

Before I could scream kidnap, Lily had been pulled away into the middle of the room, where the dance floor had been set up.

We were late enough that everyone had already started drinking, lack of food and hangovers be damned.

I feel that there is a significant hole in Hogwarts 'safe drinking' lessons. We should have been more prepared for this.

"Belle?" I heard, turning to find my distressed, yet mostly sober, boyfriend bounding up to me.

I could tell he was distressed as his hair was in disarray. Only when he was truly distracted could he let such a blasphemous thing occur.

"Thank gods, you're here," He sighed, taking the food from my arms and dropping it on the table "Remus and James decided to have a few 'good luck' drinks and everyone else soon followed. I seriously doubt that we'll all make it to the countdown at midnight."

I sincerely hope that I'm not going to have to spend New Years' Eve stroking James' back as he hunched over the toilet bowl.

Doing that one year was already more than enough.

Some memories were best left shoved into the deep recesses of the brain.

"How come you aren't drunk?" I asked, smiling as he attempted to stop Remus from joining a game of 'Spin the Bottle'.

"Someone had to look after these idiots." Sirius replied, rolling his eyes as Remus declared that he "Loved that game more than living, and no one could stop him from playing it!"

"He's going to regret that in the morning." Sirius sighed, snaking an arm around my waist as he kissed my cheek "It's about time you two showed up."

"I'm surprised you missed us, what with you being on parent duty and everything." I laughed, leaning into him as he playfully scowled.

"Well, I was going to ask you to dance, but now that you've called me a dad, I'm not sure I want to," He said huffily, turning as he spied Peter unsuspectingly hitting on another bloke's girlfriend "Oh for the love of- I'll be back."

I just nodded at him as he stalked off, stepping in just in time with a "Wormy, old pal!" as the guy grew angry.

Nothing like a punch in the face from a jealous boyfriend to say she's taken.

I shivered a little from the loss of Sirius' warmth, and quickly headed up the dorm stairs to grab a jacket.

Nobody likes to date somebody with a cold. It gets messy.

Opening the door to my dorm room I froze in surprise.

Things were strewn everywhere, curtains ripped from the bedframes, trunk spilling out onto the floor, drawers pulled open and their contents spewed onto the carpet.

Basically, the room looked like the party had started in here.

Which I wouldn't put past James, who seemed to believe that it wasn't a party until every room had been damaged.

Or 'lived in' as he liked to refer to it.

A bang, followed by a series of mutters, sounded from the bathroom.

That wasn't ominous at all.

Great, I was up here, all alone, with a room-wrecking mutterer.

And just when the night looked as though it couldn't get any stranger.

Unsure of whether to muster my Gryffindor pride and investigate, or turn back all advancements in feminism and call for my boyfriend, I was surprised when my frantic brother emerged from the bathroom.

"Teddy?" I asked, jumping back a bit as his head snapped up at my voice.

Someone's clearly had too much Firewhisky.

Or not enough, I noted, as he narrowed his eyes at me.

He seemed to battle with himself for some time, staring at me angrily, before spitting out "Where in Agrippa's name have you hidden that bloody necklace."

Oh, snap.