James scowled and crossed his arms over his chest; his eyes narrowed as he looked at Lucius. He knew better than to trust someone that was up to their eyeballs in dark goings on. However...Malfoy had said that Lily was going to be there, and he was certain that Sirius was going to be keeping Lucius busy and with whatever was going between Severus and Remus...well it would give him time to win Lily back over to himself.

He didn't however like the fact that he would alone in Malfoy manor with two Slytherins. The more he thought on it the more he felt it was a trap and he pursed his lips as he pinned Lucius with his eyes.

"How do I know that this isn't a trap to get me out of the way? Forgive me if I don't let my gaurd down as easily as Sirius does. You can say one thing but your actions of the past say another and while I'm willing to go along to support my friends I won't be forgetting anything." He knew that he sounded like a toerag, but he couldn't just put everything behind him and forget it just because Sirius was thinking with his prick and not his brain.

"However I will go, if only to keep an eye on Sirius and Remus and make sure they don't do anything too out of the way."

----

Sirius stretched, feeling sated and warm. A smile curved his lips as he reached out for Lucius with his eyes closed, thinking that the blonde had rolled away from him in slumber. But when he didn't feel Lucius's warm body he opened his eyes and frowned; finding the bed empty.

He climbed from the bed and grabbed some pants, slipping them on and heading down to the common room even though he hoped that Lucius hadn't wandered that far. He was fairly certain that the other Gryffindors wouldn't like the fact that a Slytherin had wandered into their midst.

As he wandered down the stair way he caught sight of Lily looking curiously at a tapestry and with a grin he snuck up behind her, grabbing her sides with a soft "Hah!" He smirked as she jumped, crossing his arms over his chest when she whirled around. "What are you doing Lily Flower?"

Lucius stared at James, his mouth open for a moment before he shut it and ground his teeth together. "Do you think I'm a fool? Do you think I'd invite you to the manor, murder you, and leave bits of you around MY home for the aurors to find-- after I just got done telling you that I don't want you to lose your friendship with my boyfriend mere seconds ago. Your powers of listening and comprehension are absolutely astounding. Your parents must be oh so proud." He scowled at him and shook his head.

"Listen, Potter, I offered up my place because it's large and empty. There's plenty of room for everyone, and I hate that it's empty now as that tends to attract thieves. And where else would we all go, hm? To your place with your parents around? Not exactly a good place for one who fancies a certain red head to get chummy with mumsie and daddy hanging around. Same goes for Lupin, can't be comfortable with parents looming every couple of minutes. Evans has that nasty sister, and she'd sure love to rat on a wizard like yourself for getting handsy if we went there. And Sev? We can't go there because..." He trailed off and frowned. "Just because."

-

"Oh! Shhhh." She whispered and pointed to where she was listening. "I'm being nosey. Your er... Malfoy and Potter are discussing. It's absolutely fascinating." She said and went back to listening. After awhile she made a face at what they were talking about.

Lily flushed as dark as her hair. "I... I'm going to wring Potter's neck. If he plans on getting handsy with me, I'll punch him right in the face." She muttered to Sirius. "Honestly."

James scowled, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "Look, I said I would go and I don't put anything past you. The fact that Sirius has been blinded by your glorious arse has not past my notice. You want me to lay aside all the animosity between us and act like things are perfect? I can't do that. Actions speak louder than words Malfoy, and you have too many ill actions for me too look past."

His face colored hard as he pictured trying to woo Lily under his Mum's nose but he shook the picture away gritted his teeth. "You want to speak about my listening skills but you're not listening to me. I'm going because Sirius is my friend and so is Remus and I'm going to be there when you and your buddy muck things up. And I have no doubt that you will, so it's only a matter of time."

James gripped the side of the tapestry and went to pull it open but stopped, growling at Lucius before leaving. "And the next time you want to bugger in the Tower do me the favor and put something up so that I can spare my eyes the horror of seeing my best mate naked."

He stepped from behind the tapestry and stopped; his face still flush red when he spotted Lily and Sirius. "Ha...hullo."

----

Sirius shook his head as he listened to Lucius and James bicker. He'd known that it wouldn't be easy but James had said that he'd go so maybe there was hope that things could get straightened out. He smirked at James's embarrassment.

"Prongsie. I would be jealous that you were behind there with Lucius but I think that you'd have been hexed to bits if you tried anything."

He laughed as James narrowed his eyes and punched his shoulder before storming back up to the tower. He peeked behind the tapestry and smiled at Lucius. "So, how'd it go?"

Lucius growled out. "I was merely trying to explain that it isn't a trap- Potter wait!" He said and went out after him. When he did attempt to leave he collided with Sirius. "Oh! Sorry." He said apologetically and kissed his forehead where they met. "Oh, it went as well as when cats and dogs argue, Sirius. Nasty, with lots of yowling and barking." He brushed his hair back over his shoulder. "But he's going."

Lily looked disgruntled. "Potter's trying to woo me."

"Well, of course he is. He left before I could tell him that wooing you would be similar to wooing a dead fish however-"

Lily punched him in the arm. "Shut it, Malfoy!"

Lucius smirked. "But yes- we're all in for the weekend then, save Lupin and Sev. I'll speak with Sev tonight when I get back to the dorm."

"Which is EXACTLY where you should be right now, Mr. Malfoy."

The rigid voice of McGonagall snapped him right out of his thoughts. He turned to look at the base of the stairs where she was standing with her arms firmly crossed over her chest. "Pr-professor... I..."

"100 points from Slytherin for sneaking into a house that isn't your own!" She stormed up the stairs, grabbing him by his ear. "Now out with you!"

"OW! But my shoes! This isn't even my shirt!" He protested as he was lead out of the house by his ear.

"Out out out!" She said and once he was gone, something dawned on her. McGonagall returned moments later, looking to Sirius and Lily. "And just why is Malfoy missing his shoes and not wearing his shirt?" She asked utterly bewildered as she looked to the both of them.

Sirius looked at Lily with the deer in the headlights looks before pinning McGonagall with the best smile he could. He even moved around and put an arm around her shoulders, bending his head in to speak to her as if sharing a great confidence.

"Minnie, I was improving interhouse relations. Malfoy had found the brunt of an extremely ill thought out prank. Not by yours truly of course, but he was in some pain. He didn't want to go to the hospital wing however because he'd sprouted some unsightly teeth and long dark hair. It was a mess. Now, I've been the butt of the hex before from James so I knew how to fix it. I had him come up here so I could patch him up and send him on his way. We just didn't get to the on the way yet. He's without a shirt because I wanted to make sure that I didn't miss any hair. He grabbed the first thing he found--my shirt. Please don't take it out on the lad, he's had a rough day so far and to announce it and have Professor Slughorn speak to him would be the ending to a horrible day."

He hadn't realized that he'd moved McGonagall away from the stair well and was so intent on trying to wriggle himself and Lucius out of trouble he didn't see Remus return to the common room.

----

Remus had just wandered around for a bit before heading back to the tower, he'd already finished his homework for the week so he could just relax--and push James away when he tried to get him to test the potions. However the odd sight of Sirius holding Professor McGonagall close and whispering in confidence to her had him scratching his head and he moved over to where Lily was watching silently

"What's going on?" He asked in a whisper.

McGonagall raised a skeptical eyebrow at him. "Mmmhmmm. And when did we get to be on a first name basis, Sirius Black?" She said and gave him the eye. "So I see. Mr. Malfoy is obsessed with his looks, so I can see that. But... you're certain it has nothing to do with the two of you and your rumored 'relationship'?" She raised an eyebrow at him. "It's the talk of the professor table. One would think we'd have more to talk about. But... I suppose I'll allow you the benefit of the doubt. I'll make sure the points go back to Slytherin." She picked Sirius's arm from off of her shoulders. "Now-- be good."

Lily just shook her head, taking Remus's arm to move him away from Sirius and McGonagall- into the common room out of ear shot. "Oh... Lucius was caught." She made a face. "McGonagall wanted to take away a bunch of points from Slytherin, but... Sirius seems to be talking her out of it." She sighed. "Those two need to be more careful. Oh! You probably don't know about this, since you've been gone the majority of the day. Malfoy invited you, Sev, me, Potter, and Sirius to his home for the weekend. It seems like we're all going. It'll be fun!"

-

Meanwhile, Lucius walked back to the dorms with his tail between his legs and with cold feet. When he saw Severus there, he stuck out his bottom lip- wanting to garner sympathy.

"Please. That doesn't work on me." Severus shook his head and turned a page in the book he was reading. "What happened, anyway?"

"I got caught in the Gryffindor dorms." He moaned and flopped back on the couch. "I cost us points."

Severus reached over and smacked the back of his head. "Arse. Nice going. You need to be more careful!"

"Please, rub more salt into my wounds, Severus." He rolled up his sleeves for dramatic effect. "I already feel like an arse." He scowled looking up to the ceiling with a frown. "I've invited our Gryffindor colleagues to my home this weekend... you included."

"And why would you include me in that illustrious group?" He snapped. "I'd rather not waste a weekend with them--"

"Evans is going. And Lupin. I'm trying to get things to be cordial between us. I'D rather not have things being hostile between us all. I don't like open hostility. And the manor's huge, it's not like I'm asking you to stay in a room with Potter. So... please? Won't you go?"

Severus sighed, weighing his options. "...Fine. FINE. I'll go."

Sirius grinned and grabbing McGonagall, kissing her cheek with a whoop. "Thank you Professor, I always knew that you had a golden heart under that strict school teacher persona." He winked and patted her elbow before bowing solemnly. "I promise that I will stay out of trouble Professor McGonagall, you won't have to worry about me for a great while."

He grinned and again and slipped away, grabbing both Lily and Remus as he moved past and steering them to a underused portion of the common room. His face was split in two with a smile as he sat down in a chair he conjured.

"That was close." He sighed as he wiped his hand over his forehead. "So Lils. Did you tell Remus about our weekend plan?"

Remus colored as he nodded, looking down his feet as he scuffed them. "I heard, and I'm almost wanting to know how you got James to go, but since the rest of us are going I might as well take advantage of it too." Not to mention it'll give me some more time to get to know Severus better.

"I did! It seems as if we're all on board for this." Lily grinned. "I'm excited. I've never seen Malfoy's home. He doesn't speak about it much, and he never seems too thrilled to go home for the holidays. It must be a terribly boring place. Which is good, we'll need the neutral ground. It'll be fun, you know. I hope we can come back all stronger from the experience." Her thoughts drifted to James earlier, and their spat over Severus- her look faltered slightly. Maybe over the weekend, James will see that Severus isn't as bad as he thinks he is. ...Or they'll all come back missing body parts.

"I could use a bit of a breather this weekend. I should start packing-- you know us girls, we need at least ten suitcases for a two day trip." She teased.

-

Once Lucius finished speaking with Severus, he found himself staring up at his bed canopy. The manor was in decent shape, half of the large rooms weren't in use. His thoughts drifted up to the attic which was a dangerous place consisting of Abraxas's nastiest finds- living demons- that the older man saw fit to keep in the manor like prizes.

He shuddered. He had to keep the lot of them away from the attic or he would never hear the end of it.

And the basement- if one of them went down there, he doubted he could find them in the vast amount ancient catacombs the manor was built on. He made a face. This was going to be a complicated weekend.

(did you want to skip us to the weekend before they leave for the manor?)

(sounds like a plan to me)

Sirius spent most of his time packing and unpacking the clothing that he was going to wear, much to the amusement of both James and Remus. Both boys making the comment that Lucius was rubbing of him and that soon he'd be as prissy as the blonde. Of course those remarks lead to some rather ribald comments of Sirius's own that had Jame's pretending to puke and Remus's ears glowing a bright red.

Soon enough however the weekend was there and the trio waited patiently, well Sirius and Remus were waiting patiently, James was stalking and scowling at being strong armed into spending time with the slimy snakes in the snake pit. Or at least he was until Remus reminded him that Lily was going to be there as well and it was going to be the only time that James would have to really make an impression on her that was good enough to win her over the 'Potter Side'

Lily looked at her suitcase. She was going to a grand manor- what the hell was appropriate in her wardrobe for that? She made a face and began pacing slowly. She was going to be late in meeting the boys if she delayed packing any longer. She ended up throwing a bunch of other things in the case, and a few toiletries. When she was finished, she lugged her case down toward where she was meeting the boys. "Hey guys!" She said cheerfully. "Malfoy said we're using the fireplace in Slughorn's office to floo to the manor. It's the easiest way to get there."

Severus slowly walked up with Lucius, a tattered, patched up case tucked under his arm. He didn't like the thought of going anywhere with the pack of Gryffindors- despite having a shaky peace with Sirius, a blooming relationship with Remus, and a friendship with Lily. He nodded to them, remaining quiet. He had never been to Lucius's manor, but he could imagine it was going to be lavish- which of course made him all the more self conscious of the thread bare, worn clothing he had in his possession. Lucius made no mention of what he should wear- nor anything else for that matter. He went quiet as the week came to a close, leaving Severus up in the air.

Lucius looked to everyone, nodding to them. "Everyone's here? Excellent. Well- follow me. Slughorn's been kind enough to let us use his fireplace to travel to my home." He cleared his throat. He gave Sirius a smile, but it faded away as quickly as it came. Embarrassment and realization at the state of his ancestral home dawned on him- and there was nothing he could do about it. His father was off on another trip, unable to spruce up the place.

So many of the rooms were closed off, furniture covered- because Abraxas didn't believe in using all that space for two people. The room they were going to floo into was the grand parlor- a long room with massive narrow windows lining the length of it- allowing for skinny rays of light to grace the ancient decorations, paintings and elegant furniture. Or, at least it would if the furniture wasn't covered, and the paintings were able to be viewed- rather than blocked off by sheets. His father hated the portraits, so he had them covered to keep them from shouting or insulting his spartan life style.

What would they think-- especially Potter. He winced at the thought, anticipating some smart little quip. As the group reached Slughorn's office, Lucius grabbed up some floo powder. "It's just father and I- he's not home. He doesn't like to use all the space in the manor." He finally admitted. "Some of the rooms are not what they should be as a result." He looked slightly ashamed, having sided with the portraits- that the manor, regardless of use, should be immaculate no matter what. Appearances were everything to Lucius, and not so much to Abraxas.

"I'll see you there." He turned away from the group, shouting out Malfoy manor, before stepping into the green flames.

"Lily-- ladies first." Severus said and stepped aside to allow her to take her turn traveling to the manor.

Sirius tilted his head to the side, wondering why in the world Lucius seemed ashamed of his house not being used. His own....well he didn't want to think about his own home and gripped his suitcase as he looked over James, scowling at him.

"You make one out of hand comment Prongs and I will feed you to the Giant Squid."

"Calm down Pads." James said offhandedly as he let his eyes drift over Lily. "Your boytoy's house is safe from me."

"Boys! Come on now, this is no time for a fight." Remus butted in as he played peacemaker, rolling his eyes at Severus with a slight smile. "This a weekend for us to enjoy and get to know each other just a bit better so that we can improve....interhouse relations."

"Moons is right." Sirius piped up as he ran his hand through his hair and offered Lily and to some degree Severus an apologetic smile.

"Well then, shouldn't we have some Ravens and Huffles here too then?" James asked with a tiny smirk.

Sirius narrowed his eyes and without regret smacked James in the back of the head. This was going to be a weekend that was going to test his patience; if only because he felt he was going to be keeping James in check the entire time. And from the look that he caught Remus shooting Severus he had the funny feeling that he was going to be quite alone in his job. With a deep sigh he turned to the remaining group and gave a large smile.

"Are we just going to stand around here all weekend or are we going to go and have some fun?"