Disclaimer: I own nothing, I claim nothing (except my own poor verses)
Lily Evans didn't want to get James Potter expelled. She knew as well as anybody that James Potter was one detention away from expulsion and that was quite a feat considering that the detention limit was 250. So she was disheartened to say the least when she found what was clearly the beginning of a prank taking place in the broom closet on the fourth floor and a list of supplies who was responsible for what. Predictably it was James's name beside the actual performing of the prank. If he got caught (and as she looked over the plan she thought that that was a very high possibility) he would get at least a detention and would be expelled.
Again, Lily Evans didn't want to get James Potter expelled. This may have had something to do with the fact that she was in love with him, but let's ignore that fact because she did on a regular basis. So when the Great Hall was showered in Dr Filibusters Wet Start No Heat Fireworks two weeks later, she was not at all surprised. She was not surprised when the fireworks suddenly took a sharp turn and began to attack the Slytherins. And when McGonagall called the Marauders up to her office after dinner, she was not surprised.
But Lily Evans had a plan, because she didn't want to get James Potter expelled. So after dinner she ran up to McGonagall's office and burst in. Everyone looked around in shock at her sudden entrance. Lily took a breath and said (very quickly), "It was me Professor. I set the fireworks off in the Great Hall and I made them attack the Slytherins. You can't punish these guys for a prank they didn't do. You can't give them detention for something they are innocent of. If you have to punish someone, here I am, guilty as charged."
There was a shocked silence in the office as Lily deliberately looked anywhere but at James Potter. Professor McGonagall spoke, "I don't believe you Miss Evans. You have never acted out like this before."
"I can prove it. I know exactly how it was done. I collected the fireworks in the broom closet on the fourth floor (the one next to the headless bust) and I placed them in the Great Hall during my rounds last night. Ask Remus, I wasn't patrolling with him."
Professor McGonagall turned her beady eyes on Remus, "Is this true Mr Lupin?"
"I- er," he broke off when Lily kicked his shin. "Yes, Lily wasn't with me on patrol."
Professor McGonagall looked at him and sighed,"Go on Miss Evans, although I'm not sure I believe you."
"Ask any of them Professor, they didn't do it. I'm sure they'll tell you."
The Marauders broke out into a babble of "we didn't"s and one "If we had done it, it would have been more dramatic".
Professor McGonagall sighed and took out a ginger newt from the tin on her desk. "Oh run along all of you, I don't know who to believe. There will be no punishment. Good night."
A little while later when the five Gryffindor's walked along the seventh floor to the Fat Lady, Sirius asked, "Why'd you do it Evans?"
Lily smiled a little and blushed, still determinately not looking at James, "Oh, just taking the blame for a friend."
A/N
This took me a while to write, but it was fun. I like the beginning more than the end (but the last line is nice)
Tata for now
mulberryjam