Were black streaked faces a sort of fashion in Spain? Why was the guy sporting a mush and black streaks all over his face? A puzzled Lily leaned forward to politely take the guy’s hand. Behind her, Archana was not so politely trying her worst not to laugh. Admitted the guy looked ridicules but still snorting at him the minute she met him was real rude! James had miraculously found himself a place by her side with Snape on the other wishing there was two of him instead of one. The girl, Roberta, seemed to be, well… different. She was holding a conversation with McGonagall while chewing a gum at the same time. At Hogwarts such things were work a weeks of detention with McGonagall. And she noticed the really disapproving look on McGonagall’s face. And the guy was sort of charming… that is, if you took the mush away… what was he thinking! He was holding a conversation with the Huffelpuff guy who seemed to be egging away from him like he was some sort of a disease…

Poor Michael! Diego certainly seemed to scare him. She just couldn’t take her eyes off the guy… but that was not because Archana was attracted to him but because he looked so damn comical. Hands on her hips, she surveyed the scene around her. She had taken an instant liking to Roberta… she seemed to recognize her own spirit in Roberta… maybe that would explain the war paint on Diego’s face. Roberta caught her eyes as she was sniggering at Diego and gave her a small wink. She knew it was the work of a kindered spirit. Ahh she would recognize herself anywhere. She gave a throaty laugh, looking away.

“You know they call people who laugh to themselves Mad, Bakshi?”

“You know they call people who talk to themselves Mad, Potter?”

“Truse!” he said holding his hands up in a time out, “I need help!” he whispered, leaning closer toward her.

“With what?” she asked eyeing him suspiciously. If she had learnt anything in her five years at Hogwarts it was NEVER to trust a Marauder!

“I need you to help me get Lily!”

“Give me one good reason why I should?”

“Because I am asking!”

“Nah… not strong enough!” she said, shrugging nonchalantly and looking away.

“Well ok… because deep inside you know that Lily is my soulmate?”

Archana looked at Lily who was having a quiet conversation with Snape and then back at James who was looking at her with this real goofy grin and raised her eyebrows at him. rally! The guy was pathetic!

“Nope!”

“Pleasee,” great now he had gone from reasoning to begging. Uh-oh… he had turned on one thing he knew her to say yes to… puppy eyes… that just wasn’t done! She looked away shaking her head but he seemed to put his face right in front of her making more doggy eyes. She smiled grudgingly but was still shaking her head.

“What’s going on here?” Sirius’ suspicious voice came from behind her and James straightened up. He shot her a warning look that said she wasn’t supposed to say anything. And she knew exactly why. If it wasn’t Snivelly stopping James and Lily to get together then it was Sirius fooling around the two of them and spoiling James’ chances.

“What’s going on?” he repeated looking wildly between her and James. Both of them looked at each other and quickly looked away. Something was amiss… He had just returned from the toilet and had walked right into James and Archie in the middle of… uh… something… and that something looked like a really coy scene… if he didn’t know better he would say something was up. Ok well, since he didn’t know better, yea something was up! And he would soon find – Whoa! Why did that guy have beetles across his face? And why the hell was he talking to Snivelly? Right, as if a guy with beetles on his face would really bother about who he was talking to… No wait, those weren’t beetles… that was a painted on mustache… like a make up… did guys in spain make themselves up like that? True he had seen some pink haired guy walk past him but he thought it was the guy and not the country… No it was the guy all right… everyone else around seemed normal… Wait, the guy just reached up to scratch himself, right under the nose… Sirius watched Diego’s forehead frown in confusion and him rubbing his thumb and index finger together.

It was only then Diego realized why that pretty girl was laughing at him from that time. Diego thought it was because she liked him or something and was putting on his cool image but he just seemed to bring out more laughs in her. And now he knew why. His eyes flashed with anger as he turned to the person who did it. She caught his eye across the crowd and he knew it. Without warning she burst out laughing in mid conversation with that brown haired chick. Muttering her name angrily under his breath, he stormed towards her, pushing a couple of guys. She started to walk backwards, hooting with laughter now. His steps quickened and he was ready to reach out for her when something came his way.

“Nice mustache… real manly!” His eyes raised to see the pretty girl who was laughing at him before.

“You knew didn’t you?”

“I’m glad that you didn’t! By the way, you made a nice rouge for yourself when you scratched your cheek… brings out your dimple, it does!” His eyes met Roberta’s, glaring into them. Roberta’s lips were smiling but her eyes certainly weren’t. Wasn’t it time for them to get going? Diego was such an idiot, flirting with a girl in spite of having made the utter fool of himself. She cursed under her breath and rolled her eyes. When that Professor made the suggestion that they all leave, she nodded very enthusiastically and turned towards Diego. OMG… the girl was wiping off that gunk from his face. Ok well she was just pointing out where all the mascara had gotten… but well that was as bad as physical contact. What a slut! To think she actually liked the sight of her in the first place! Maybe she and Mia could get along… Shaking her head exasperatedly at Diego she turned around to lead the group to the portkey. She fell into step with this guy, shaggy black hair and glasses… he was kinda cute in his own way… she wouldn’t mind getting to know him much… and well she would show that Diego… Leaning towards James she started talking …

“Finally!” said Roberta, throwing her hands upward in exasperated relief. She turned to her right where Diego was almost dozing off on her shoulder, oblivious to her. She pushed him lightly but he refused to budge. A little hard push brought his head rolling even more on her shoulder. She was about to open her mouth and yell at him when an idea crossed her head. She grinned wickedly, and a spark came into her expressive eyes. A spark, that anybody who knew her would know, spelt danger. She reached into her bag, trying her best not to disturb him, and pulled out her mascara. Ever so quietly, she brought it to draw a mustache. He moved slightly the moment she drew a line with it but settled down.

She looked up and grinned at her artwork. She simple was the best, wasn’t she… Those war lines on his cheeks added a nice touch… He stirred slightly and she pushed her mascara behind her back hurriedly. He rubbed his eyes and yawned loudly… uh-oh… if he ever saw those black marks on his hands the joke would be over even before it began… She held her breath waiting for his reaction but when none came she saw that he hadn’t noticed.

“What are you staring at me for?”

“Uh… no nothing… the plane has arrived… come on! They will be here any moment!”

*~*

Fresh air! She needed that so badly… after four hours of Sirius! She shivered at the memory. Thank god that was over! She took in a deep breath as she stepped outside with her hand baggage. She already loved it! Archana’s eyes were wide and sparkling with anticipation. She jumped the last three steps and got her feet to stable ground. Beside her landed Lily in the same fashion.

“So what exactly are we looking for?” James had somehow managed to get to Lily before severes. Ok so he had used a glue charm to stick Snape’s luggage to the ground so that James could get a head start… but hey all’s fair in love and war… and this certainly was both!

“You mean who exactly are we looking for? I was told that a 16 year old chick would be here to pick us up… I wonder where she is!”

“Sirius! Can you for one minute stop thinking about her. And please take off your cooling glasses! They look hideous on you!” said lily, her eyes searching through the crowd for any indication of their host.

“I think they look mysterious!” all the four of them turned to the rawenclaw girl who had spoken for the first time on the trip. She turned beet red and a sort of purple when Sirius gave her a grin. Archana tapped her feet irately.

“All right all of you… you’re blocking the way… stand in twos everyone and follow me!” That voice anywhere would command instance obedience from anyone. McGonagall’s voice, loud and clear, made them all fall into order. Snape had emerged (with his luggage) and miraculously seemed to fall into place next to lily. How the hell does he manage this? Thought James scowling. Sirius was automatically placed next to the Ravenclaw girl, who was standing next to him. He grinned at her flirtatiously and she just seemed to redden by the second. Great, Archana was stuck having to witness this? She was sure she was going to barf. It was when Sirius put his hand around her that she jumped in. She didn’t say anything… she just moved forward in the hustle and pushed this girl to the front to walk with McGonagall… and she by default moved next to Sirius. Well, what a coincidence! Dear me, she didn’t plan that at all! Ignoring the glare from the Ravenclaw girl and Sirius, Archana just continued walking.

“Oh there they are!” said McGonagall suddenly, stopping. The sudden stop made Lily bang into James who was in front of her, thereby hitting her nose on his shoulder blade.

“Ow!”

“Are you all right?” Snape took this chance to put his arm around her and James’ eyes flashed at the sight.

“Sorry Lily, I shouldn’t have stopped so suddenly,” said james, hoping she wasn’t mad at him.

“You always cause destruction wherever you go!” James scowled at Snape but was unable to do anything in front of Lily. And Snape knew that very well… well he could play dirty too… he just had to think it out… and he would… soon…

“I’m fine,”said Lily getting to walk forward.

“Are you sure?” asked James, eyeing her concernedly.

“Of course I am! What did you think I was, a huffelpuff whimp?” She immediately put her hand to her mouth and looked at the ground. Insulting other houses in front of the house members was so not done! Luckily the Huffelpuff boy was too busywith his girlfriend to have noticed that.

“Now now children… buck up! Lets not waste time…a s long as nothing has exploded…” her voice trailed off as she hurried forward towards the couple who were there to receive them.

He was going to drive her MAD! She couldn’t believe that she was going to spend one entire fortnight with him! It was just 10 minutes into the plane ride and he was already hitting on the air hostess. And well, it wasn’t the flirting she minded but more the fact that he was entertaining her by telling stories about her. Damn the mix up! She would have given anything to go over and sit by Lily. But no! It was her luck and fate that she had to endure entire 4 hours next to the one guy she just couldn’t STAND for the life of her. She opened the Daily Prophet to the Entertainment page and tapped her feet restlessly against the floor of the plane. She wished her best friend was with her. Sure she and Lily were close friends but they were not as close as she and Mary. Too bad Mary’s parents hadn’t allowed her for this camp! From Gryffindor there was she, Lil, James and unfortunately for her, the one and only PAIN IN THE BUTT, Sirius! There were a couple of girls from Ravenclaw, who were so serious that she just hadn’t registered the fact that they were actually in for the trip. And from Huffelpuff there was this one really cute guy who was sort of shy, but unfortunately he had a girlfriend in one of the 2 Ravenclaws who had come. And then there was Slytherin. Snape, who signed up just to follow his Lily dearest! God knows how he actually paid for it! She definitely knew who she would NOT be hanging out with during this camp!

The thought of the camp got her stomach churning with excitement and she broke into a grin. A two week camp during the post-OWLs holidays to gear the students who were interested in becoming an Auror and well, to just basically have fun. And people from all over the world would be turning up. She had never known about the magical world of other continents and was excited about this. Since it was on the first come first served basis, there would be only 30 students from around the world and they were lucky to have gotten in. Well, since Hogwarts was one of the main organizers of this Auror Awareness camp, they sort of got special preferences… And it worked out well for her for she had always wanted to go to Spain. The Spanish School Of Magic was hosting them there and she just couldn’t wait.

“Archana?” The sound of her name brought her back to earth. Only one person in the whole world would call her like that, pronouncing the ‘ch’ like a ‘sh’ and gliding the ‘r’ just slightly.

“What?” she asked, turning to Sirius, her jet black hair swinging forward naturally.

“Want a chocolate? I think I’m done!” he said, offering her an innocent looking Kit-Kat. It didn’t occur to her to think that he might be up to something considering their history of such close friendship. She just took it with a shrug and bit into it. The moment she bit into it she knew something was wrong. For one, it was not at ALL sweet and for another, orange smoke came out of her nose when she breathed out.

“Gee Archana, you really have to control your anger,” drawled Sirius, laughter evident in his voice. Archana turned upon him angrily, “My, my… you’re breathing fire!”

“Oh you’ll pay!” she growled, throwing the half eaten chocolate on him. A couple sitting across the aisle from them was looking at Archana startled.

“We’ll see!” was his reply before he put on his headphones, reclines his chair and closed his eyes, a satisfied smile on his face.

*~*

“Diego!” came an exasperated cry, “Is this really the time for this?”

“Chillax babe!” came back a smug reply followed by a buzz and a crash. Roberta rolled her eyes as she paced up and down outside the glass door of the video game lounge. She glared at Diego, sitting on a couch and fervently clicking at the joystick. Muttering Spanish curses under her breath she turned to glare at the announcement board that said that the plane was half an hour late.

“Why are you torturing me like this?” she yelled at the huge black screen with her hands on her hips. A couple of people walking past her gave her weird looks and hurried away when she turned on them. She went back to muttering under her breath with one hand in her flaming red hair and another resting on the waistband of her shorts.

She couldn’t believe she was stuck in this stuffy airport with Diego of all the people. Fat help he was! Not really enthusiastic about hosting this camp, she had been forced into it by her friend Anahi, who had somehow wriggled her way out of it. Result: She had to work with Diego and Mia! What a holiday! She spent two days getting ‘El instituto De la Magia’ ready for a bunch of rug rats… something she did not enjoy doing all by herself. Why would Mia help? She wouldn’t want her designer clothes getting dirty, oh no! Because that would be the worst thing on the face of this earth. The Manicure Maniac spent the last week sitting on the posh chairs and marveling at the bathroom space at the   Institute while she, Roberta, was changing tables and chairs to beds and curtains! And this was the reward she was getting for her hard work: an extra hour spent at the stinky airport with Diego!

“Roberta…” came a slightly panting voice next to her ear, “do you have some coins? I want to get a drink!” She whipped around her head, her mood matching her flaming red hair.

“I do NOT have any coins and you will NOT get any drinks,” she said through gritted teeth, poking his chest with each word. Diego moved a step back from her, a startled expression in his eyes.

“Hey, I was just passing time until the plane came!” he said, “you don’t expect me to pace up and own like you, now, do you?” She glared at him. “Ok fine,” he resigned, “I’ll wait with you if you want! But one condition, you will not yell at me!” She shrugged her shoulder and Diego walked over to one of those hard plastic chars and sat down. She scrunched her face up in irritation, and with a sigh of exasperation, walked over and flopped next to Diego. He started to whistle a tune under his breath and tap on the hands of the chair. She exhaled slowly. It was going to be a long ride.

*~*

“I think its cool that they have two levels of schooling in Spain!” said Lily, turning her head and looking at Severes. The two of them had reclined and were talking to while away the time. “Did you know they go to a different school for their sixth and seventh year? Only they don’t call it year, they call it Level One and Level Two.”

“Yea I read about that. Until fifth year they go to The Academy and for Level One and Level Two they go to The Institute. It must be a great change!” he said eagerly. Lily rolled her eyes and sat up on the chair, bunching up her wavy, long, auburn hair and putting it up in a scrunchie. The action had Snape looking at her, glazy eyed, unable to believe his own luck. Across the aisle from him James scowled at his expression. Stupid seat mix-up. Instead of bumping off Snape to the lone seat, he was stuck with that, sitting next to the Ravenclaws. And Sirius was all the way at the back and he couldn’t get there either. Glancing out of the window wistfully, he yearned to be out there, among the clouds and in his broomstick, the wind in his hair and Lily behind him. It was not his fantasy to be stuck near the window next to two girls who just wouldn’t talk. His gaze turned to Lily who had leaned back on the seat and was holding a conversation with Snape. He just couldn’t see what she saw in him. Everybody knew what a slimy rat of a guy he was but she insisted… she insisted that he was a good kid. Good kid indeed! All the kid wanted to do was to snog her senseless and the whole school knew it. Why she still hung out with him was beside him. It was not like she approved of his company or his fantasy with dark magic. In fact they had had a big row about this a couple of times. But she still insisted on sticking with him. And James knew very well that Snape was out to sabotage his relationship with Lily. Not that he had any. But the lack of it was thanks to that mean slimeball! Every time he was near Lily Snape would just miraculously show up. It had happened ever since he was in fourth year and Snape had gotten the inkling that he fancied Lily. But he owed it to Snape in a way, because the harder Snape made it for him to get close to Lily, the more he wanted to… Heck he would show that Snivelly who he was. This was going to be one heck of a holiday!