1976, in between chapters 9 & 10.

"Boo!"

Rosalie lets out a scream, dropping her books. James Potter's excited face greets her, his hands gripping her shoulders.

"God, James," she says, her heart thudding in her chest. "Give me a warning next time, won't you?"

He blinks, undeterred. "That was the warning."

Rosalie stares at him, before wordlessly bending down to pick up her books. James follows, balancing a Potions textbook on his head, before dropping it into his hands.

"You're my cupid, now!" James continues, handing her the book.

She pauses. "Excuse me?"

"You're excused," James says cheerily, slinging an arm around her shoulder. Rosalie glares at him. "All jokes, Rosalie. I owe you."

"You'd better pay up," Rosalie grumbles, slowly placing her books back into her bag. At his excited fidgeting, as if he's on a sugar high, she knows he has news about Lily. "Well? What is it?"

"Lily," he says, grinning widely, "gave me a book."

She gapes. "You're joking."

"No," he says, patting the side of her shoulder. "We were talking about the Lord of the Rings when she pulled something out of her bag, and it was the sequel."

"Be still, my beating heart," Sirius drawls, causing Rosalie to jump.

"Oh, screw you," Rosalie says, scowling. "James made brilliant progress. At least he has a chance with the girl he fancies. What are you doing, hmm?"

"Well, love," Sirius says, his demeanour making her want to punch him, "I have a date next week."

"Who on Earth would want to date you?" Rosalie asks, flabbergasted.

"Hey!" he exclaims. "Plenty of women, actually —"

"Name one." Sirius opens his mouth, but Rosalie cuts him off. "Not counting Rachel Carrow."

"Damn it," he mutters. "Well, Ashley Love —"

"She wants to date me too," Rosalie counters. "Next."

He smirks. "Rosalie Edson —"

"Shove off, you arse!" Rosalie lunges towards him, but feels her arm being yanked by James. "Come on, James. I just wanted to punch him."

"And then he's going to cry," James says, patting Rosalie's head. "I don't need that."

"I will not cry —" Sirius snaps defensively, but is cut off by Rosalie's giggles. "How could you do this to me, James? In front of her, too!"

Rosalie grins. "Your best friend is now my best friend. The only woman who you could name thinks I'm prettier. So, basically, I'm just better."

Sirius scoffs. "You couldn't be better than me if you tried."

"I'm not trying, though," Rosalie says mockingly. "I already am."