Chapter 1
DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS---
ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL
Professor Flitwick was walking past a boy with untidy black hair...very untidy black hair. His eyes were hazel, his nose slightly long, and he had a thin face. His hair stuck up in the back, just like he had gotten off of a broomstick.
James yawned hugely and rumpled up his hair, making it even messier than it had been. Then, with a glance toward Professor Flitwick, he turned in his seat and grinned at a boy sitting four seats behind him.
Sirius gave James the thumbs-up. Sirius was lounging in his chair with ease, titling it back on two legs. He was very good-looking; his dark hair fell into his eyes with a sort of casual elegance James's never could have achieved, and a girl sitting behind him was eyeing him hopefully, though he didn't seem to have noticed.
And two seats along from this girl was Remus Lupin. He looked rather pale and peaky and was absorbed in the exam: As he reread his answers he scratched his chin with the end of his quill, frowning slightly.
Peter, a small, mousy-haired boy with a pointed nose, looked anxious; he was chewing his fingernails, staring down at his paper, and scuffing the ground with his toes. Every now and then he glanced hopefully at his neighbor's paper.
James was now doodling on a bit of scrap parchment. He had drawn a Snitch and was now tracing the letters L.E. Why does she have to hate me? Can't she see I love her and wouldn't dream of hurting her?
"Quills down, please!" squeaked Professor Flitwick. "That means you too, Stebbins! Please remain seated while I collect your parchment! Accio!"
More than a hundred rolls of parchment zoomed into the air and into Professor Flitwick's outstretched arms, knocking him backward off his feet. Several people laughed. A couple of students at the front desks got up, took hold of Professor Flitwick beneath the elbows, and lifted him onto his feet again.
"Thank you...thank you," panted Professor Flitwick. "Very well, everybody, you're free to go!"
James hastily crossed out the L.E. he had been embellishing, jumped to his feet, stuffed his quill and the exam question paper into his bag, which he slung over his back, and stood waiting for Sirius Black, his best friend, to join him.
"Did you like question ten, Moony?" asked Sirius, looking at Remus as they emerged into the entrance hall.
"Loved it," said Remus briskly. "'Give five signs that identify the werewolf.' Excellent question."
"D'you think you managed to get all the signs?" said James in tones of mock concern.
"Think I did," said Remus seriously, as they joined the crowd thronging around the front doors eager to get out into the sunlit grounds. "One: He's sitting in my chair. Two: He's wearing my clothes. Three: His name's Remus Lupin...'"
Peter was the only one who didn't laugh.
"I got the snout shape, the pupils of the eyes, and the tufted tail," he said anxiously, "but I couldn't think what else-"
"How thick are you, Wormtail?" said James impatiently. "You run around with a werewolf once a month-"
"Keep your voice down," implored Lupin.
James and his friends strode off down the lawn toward the lake, thinking of something to say.
"Well I thought that paper was a piece of cake," Sirius supplied. "I'll be surprised if I don't get Outstanding on it at least."
"Me too," said James. He put his hand in his pocket and took out a struggling Golden Snitch.
"Where'd you get that?"
"Nicked it," said James casually. He started playing with the Snitch, allowing it to fly as much as a foot away and seizing it again; his reflexes were excellent. Wormtail watched in awe.
They stopped in the shade of a beech tree at the edge off the lake, and threw themselves on the ground. The sunlight was dazzling on the smooth surface of the lake, on the bank of which the group of laughing girls who had just left the Great Hall were sitting with shoes and socks off, cooling their feet in the water. Lupin had pulled out a book and was reading. Sirius stared around at the students milling over the grass, looking very haughty and bored, but very handsomely so. James was still playing with the Snitch, letting it zoom farther and farther away, almost escaping but always grabbing it at the last second. Wormtail was watching him with his mouth open. Every time James made a particularly difficult catch, Wormtail gasped and applauded. James kept rumpling up his hair as though to make sure it did not get too tidy, and looking over at the girls by the water's edge...especially one with red-auburn hair to her waist.
"Put that away will you?" said Sirius finally, as James made a fine catch and Wormtail let out a cheer. "Before Wormtail wets himself with excitement."
Peter turned slightly pink but James grinned.
"If it bothers you, Padfoot," he said, stuffing the Snitch back in his pocket. Like I would have stopped for anyone else...well maybe Evans...If she'd go out with me. Why wont she?!?
"I'm bored," said Sirius, "Wish it was full moon."
"You might," said Remus darkly from behind his book. "We've still got Transfiguration, if you're bored you could test me...here." He held out his book.
Sirius snorted. "I don't need to look at that rubbish, I know it all."
"This'll liven you up, Padfoot," said James quietly. "Look who it is..."
Sirius's head turned. He had become very still, like a dog that has scented a rabbit.
"Excellent," he said softly. "Snivellus."
Severus Snape, of Slytherin house, but 5th year like the Maraurders, was on his feet, and was stowing the O.W.L. paper in his bag. As he emerged from the shadows of the bushes and set off across the grass, Sirius and James stood up. Remus and Peter remained seating. Remus, with his prefect badge glinting in the sunlight, was still staring down at his book; though his eyes were not moving and a faint frown line had appeared between his eyebrows. Peter was looking from Sirius to James, to Snape with a look of avid anticipation on his face.
"All right, Snivellus?" said James loudly.
Snape reacted so fast it was as though he had been expecting an attack. Dropping his bag, he plunged his hand inside his robes, and his wand was halfway into the air when James shouted, "Expelliarmus!"
Snape's wand flew twelve feet into the air and fell with a little thud in the grass behind him. Sirius let out a bark of laughter.
"Impedimenta!" he said, pointing his wand at Snape, who was knocked off his feet, halfway through a dive toward his own fallen wand.
Students al around had turned to watch. Some of them had gotten to their feet and were edging nearer to watch. Some looked apprehensive, others entertained.
Snape lay panting on the ground. James and Sirius advanced on him, wands up, James glancing over his shoulder at the girls at the water's edge as he went. Peter was on his feet now, watching hungrily, edging around Remus to get a clearer view.
"How'd the exam go, Snivelly?" asked James.
"I was watching him, his nose was touching the parchment," said Sirius viciously. "There'll be great grease marks all over it, they won't be able to read a word."
Several people laughed; Snape was unpopular. Peter sniggered shrilly. Snape was trying to get up, but the jinx was still operating on him; he was struggling as though bound by invisible ropes.
"You- wait," he panted, staring at James with and expressions of purest loathing. "You- wait...."
"Wait for what"? said Sirius coolly. "What're you going to do, Snivelly, wipe your know on us?"
Snape let out a stream of mixed swearwords and hexes, but his wand being ten feet away nothing happened.
"Wash out your mouth," said James coldly. "Scourgify!"
Pink soap bubbles streamed from Snape's mouth at once; the froth was covering his lips, making him gag, and choking him-
"Leave him ALONE!"
James and Sirius looked around. James's free hand jumped to his hair again, while thoughts tugged at him.
It was one of the girls James had been watching from the lake. She had thick, dark red hair that fell to her shoulders and startlingly green almond-shaped eyes. Easily considered one of the most wanted girls at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, she was also a prefect and had a kick-ass temper.
"All right, Evans?" said James, and the tone of his voice was suddenly pleasant, deeper, more mature.
"Leave him alone," Lily repeated. She was looking at James with every sign of dislike. "What's he done to you?"
"Well," said James, spearing to deliberate the point, "it's more the fact that he exists, if you know what I mean...."
Mandy of the surrounding watchers laughed, Sirius and Peter included, but Remus still apparently intent on his book, didn't and neither did Lily.
"You think your funny," she said coldly. "But your just an arrogant, bullying toerag, Potter. Leave him alone."
"I will if you go out with me, Evans," said James quickly. "Go on...go out with me, and I'll never lay my wand on old Snivelly again."
Behind him the Impediment Jinx was wearing off. Snape was beginning to inch toward his fallen wand, spitting out soapsuds as he crawled.
"I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid," said Lily.
"Bad luck, Prongs," said Sirius briskly, turning back to Snape. "OY!"
But too late; Snape had directed his wand straight at James; there was a flash of light and a gash appeared on the side of Jame's face, spattering his robes with blood. James whirled about; a second flash of light later, Snape was hanging upside down in the air, his robes falling over his head to reveal skinny, pallid legs and a pair of graying underpants. Many people in the small crowd watching cheered. Sirius, James, and Peter roared with laughter.
Lily, whose furious expression had twitched for and instant as though she was going to smile, said "Let him down!"
"Certainly," said James and he jerked the wand upward. Snape fell into a crumpled heap on the ground. Disentangling himself from his robes he got quickly to his feet, wand up, but Sirius said, "Locomortor mortis!" and Snape kneeled over again at once, rigid as a board.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Lily shouted. She had her own wand out now. James and Sirius eyed it warily.
"Ah, Evans, don't make me hex you," said James earnestly.
"Take the curse off him, then!"
James sighed deeply, then turned and muttered the counter-curse to Snape.
"There you go," he said, as Snape struggled to his feet again, "you're lucky Evans was her, Snivellus-"
"I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!"
Lily blinked. "Fine," she said coolly. "I wont bother in the future. And I'd wash your pants if I were you, Snivellus."
"Apologize to Evans!" James roared at Snape, his wand pointed threateningly at him.
"I don't want you to make him apologize," Lily shouted, rounding on James. "Your as bad as he is...."
"What?" yelped James. "I'd NEVER call you a- you-know-what!"
"Messing up your hair because you think it looks cool to look like you just got off your broomstick, showing off with that stupid Snitch, walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can- I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with your fat head on it. You make me SICK."
She turned on her heel and hurried away.
"Evans!" James shouted after her, "Hey, EVANS!"
But she didn't look back.
"EEEARGH!!" Lily screamed walking back to her friends. "What is IT with him? What is his problem???"
"Well, Evans," her best friend Jenny Watt said, teasing. "It seems as though his problem is you."
Lily looked at her best friend. Jen was the type of girl guys fell over. She had brown hair that was just long enough to put into a ponytail. Her brown eyes, had depths to match James's (a feature Lily choose to ignore), and her body had all the curves in the right places. She was very outgoing, and great friends with the Marauders. She also seemed to have a new boyfriend every month. Lauren Morris, the girl who completed the trio of the most popular Hogwarts females, was opposite, personality wise of Jen. She was very shy, and only knew Remus enough to talk to. She had had one boyfriend in her time at Hogwarts and he had ended the relationship by cheating on her. Also unlike Jen, Lauren had long gorgeous blond hair that ended in little curls at her waist.
"Why don't you like him?" Lauren's small voice piped. "He's head over heels in love with you."
"Did you just hear anything I said over there?"
"Yeah."
"Well, why are you asking?"
"Oh," said Lauren sarcastically. "You mean you didn't say those things just to get him mad?"
"No, I meant every word," said Lily.
The tone in her voice let both of them know she was done discussing the subject.
"But, Lily...He really does lo-"started Jen.
Lily lost it. "LOOK I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT JAMES POTTER'S OBSESSION OVER ME, GOT IT?!?! Leave it alone!" And she stormed off.
James stood as Lily stomped by, and called out, rather cockily, "You were talking about me, huh?"
Lily walked calmly over to James and smacked him hard in the face, leaving a very clear red outline of her hand on his cheek. "You wish, James."
He sat down in shock, and watched her run the rest of the way to the castle. He rubbed his cheek in pain.
"Damn that hurts."
"She can slap, huh, Prongs?" asked a cheeky Sirius.
When there was no response, Sirius and Remus quickly went over to James to see what was wrong. Sitting there...blissfully happy was James.
"Um...what's wrong, mate?" questioned Remus.
James smiles widely. "She called me James."
At the leaving feast that evening they plowed into their food like they hadn't eaten in weeks. Gryffindor once again won the house cup, and the whole table was partying.
James happily looked up the table at Lily, where his expression turned to one of misery. Remus saw the look.
"Why are you so sad James?"
James looked back at Remus and sadly said, "Mate, this is going to be a long summer."
Remus watched him stand and rush out of the Great Hall attracting the attention of Lily.
She walked over to Remus, and quietly, as though she didn't want to be heard caring for James asked, "What was that?"
Remus smiled and said, "What do you think, Lily? Summer starts tomorrow, remember" And turned away to finish his meal.
Lily, Jen and Lauren sat in their compartment of the Hogwarts Express, chatting about the past school year, and how much they were going to miss each other, when they heard a huge explosion coming from the corridor.
They looked at each other and Lily thought Oh, no what have they done now?? Suddenly the door slid open and four boys tumbled to the floor. Remus, Sirius, James, and Peter tried to stand up and brush off their robes.
"Er...sorry we barged in, Lily," said James nervously.
Sirius strode over to Lily, bent down on one knee, grabbed Lily's hand and kissed it. "My fair maiden," he recited. "How wonderful it is to see you this fine day! I'm dreadfully sorry we burst in like this but James was insistent of seeing his Lily flow-"
He cut off as James hit him in the back of the head. Lily blushed turned and faced the window as if nothing had happened. Her friends snickered.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh," said Sirius, heading over to Jen. "M'lady, I do hope that you would take a walk with this distinguished gentleman.
She looked slowly around and then asked, smiling, "Um, Sirius...I don't see any gentleman here."
He gasped dramatically and picked her up, giggling. "We're leaving this joint dearie!" And they left.
Lily looked around and realized that during the show Lauren, Remus, and Peter had also disappeared leaving her alone with James. She glanced at him, the turned and enjoyed the passing scenery for the rest of the ride, leaving him staring at her.
When the train finally started slowing down, the rest of the Mauraders, Jen and Lauren came back. They cleaned up the compartment, gathered their things, and left into the station. Once they got into the station Lily, Jen and Lauren all hugged and said their "good-byes" and "see you next summers". Lily was left with the guys.
"Well," she said, turning towards Sirius. "I'll miss you, old pal!" Sirius ran forward and hugged her tightly, laughing.
"LET GO off me!!" she screamed, trying to breathe. He finally put her down and she turned and waved bye to Peter who was heading off with his father. Lily then looked at Remus and smiled, "I'm going to miss our chats, Remus. Especially with you helping me," she chanced a quick glance at James, "with...well you know what and all." She smiled wider and hugged him.
She slowly turned and looked at James, who was hoping he'd at least get a slight hug. With no smile, not a single look of recognition she said, "Bye Potter," and turned back to Sirius and Remus. "It's going to be a long summer you guys!!" She walked away from them leaving James wondering how she knew what he was thinking.
DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS---
ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL
Professor Flitwick was walking past a boy with untidy black hair...very untidy black hair. His eyes were hazel, his nose slightly long, and he had a thin face. His hair stuck up in the back, just like he had gotten off of a broomstick.
James yawned hugely and rumpled up his hair, making it even messier than it had been. Then, with a glance toward Professor Flitwick, he turned in his seat and grinned at a boy sitting four seats behind him.
Sirius gave James the thumbs-up. Sirius was lounging in his chair with ease, titling it back on two legs. He was very good-looking; his dark hair fell into his eyes with a sort of casual elegance James's never could have achieved, and a girl sitting behind him was eyeing him hopefully, though he didn't seem to have noticed.
And two seats along from this girl was Remus Lupin. He looked rather pale and peaky and was absorbed in the exam: As he reread his answers he scratched his chin with the end of his quill, frowning slightly.
Peter, a small, mousy-haired boy with a pointed nose, looked anxious; he was chewing his fingernails, staring down at his paper, and scuffing the ground with his toes. Every now and then he glanced hopefully at his neighbor's paper.
James was now doodling on a bit of scrap parchment. He had drawn a Snitch and was now tracing the letters L.E. Why does she have to hate me? Can't she see I love her and wouldn't dream of hurting her?
"Quills down, please!" squeaked Professor Flitwick. "That means you too, Stebbins! Please remain seated while I collect your parchment! Accio!"
More than a hundred rolls of parchment zoomed into the air and into Professor Flitwick's outstretched arms, knocking him backward off his feet. Several people laughed. A couple of students at the front desks got up, took hold of Professor Flitwick beneath the elbows, and lifted him onto his feet again.
"Thank you...thank you," panted Professor Flitwick. "Very well, everybody, you're free to go!"
James hastily crossed out the L.E. he had been embellishing, jumped to his feet, stuffed his quill and the exam question paper into his bag, which he slung over his back, and stood waiting for Sirius Black, his best friend, to join him.
"Did you like question ten, Moony?" asked Sirius, looking at Remus as they emerged into the entrance hall.
"Loved it," said Remus briskly. "'Give five signs that identify the werewolf.' Excellent question."
"D'you think you managed to get all the signs?" said James in tones of mock concern.
"Think I did," said Remus seriously, as they joined the crowd thronging around the front doors eager to get out into the sunlit grounds. "One: He's sitting in my chair. Two: He's wearing my clothes. Three: His name's Remus Lupin...'"
Peter was the only one who didn't laugh.
"I got the snout shape, the pupils of the eyes, and the tufted tail," he said anxiously, "but I couldn't think what else-"
"How thick are you, Wormtail?" said James impatiently. "You run around with a werewolf once a month-"
"Keep your voice down," implored Lupin.
James and his friends strode off down the lawn toward the lake, thinking of something to say.
"Well I thought that paper was a piece of cake," Sirius supplied. "I'll be surprised if I don't get Outstanding on it at least."
"Me too," said James. He put his hand in his pocket and took out a struggling Golden Snitch.
"Where'd you get that?"
"Nicked it," said James casually. He started playing with the Snitch, allowing it to fly as much as a foot away and seizing it again; his reflexes were excellent. Wormtail watched in awe.
They stopped in the shade of a beech tree at the edge off the lake, and threw themselves on the ground. The sunlight was dazzling on the smooth surface of the lake, on the bank of which the group of laughing girls who had just left the Great Hall were sitting with shoes and socks off, cooling their feet in the water. Lupin had pulled out a book and was reading. Sirius stared around at the students milling over the grass, looking very haughty and bored, but very handsomely so. James was still playing with the Snitch, letting it zoom farther and farther away, almost escaping but always grabbing it at the last second. Wormtail was watching him with his mouth open. Every time James made a particularly difficult catch, Wormtail gasped and applauded. James kept rumpling up his hair as though to make sure it did not get too tidy, and looking over at the girls by the water's edge...especially one with red-auburn hair to her waist.
"Put that away will you?" said Sirius finally, as James made a fine catch and Wormtail let out a cheer. "Before Wormtail wets himself with excitement."
Peter turned slightly pink but James grinned.
"If it bothers you, Padfoot," he said, stuffing the Snitch back in his pocket. Like I would have stopped for anyone else...well maybe Evans...If she'd go out with me. Why wont she?!?
"I'm bored," said Sirius, "Wish it was full moon."
"You might," said Remus darkly from behind his book. "We've still got Transfiguration, if you're bored you could test me...here." He held out his book.
Sirius snorted. "I don't need to look at that rubbish, I know it all."
"This'll liven you up, Padfoot," said James quietly. "Look who it is..."
Sirius's head turned. He had become very still, like a dog that has scented a rabbit.
"Excellent," he said softly. "Snivellus."
Severus Snape, of Slytherin house, but 5th year like the Maraurders, was on his feet, and was stowing the O.W.L. paper in his bag. As he emerged from the shadows of the bushes and set off across the grass, Sirius and James stood up. Remus and Peter remained seating. Remus, with his prefect badge glinting in the sunlight, was still staring down at his book; though his eyes were not moving and a faint frown line had appeared between his eyebrows. Peter was looking from Sirius to James, to Snape with a look of avid anticipation on his face.
"All right, Snivellus?" said James loudly.
Snape reacted so fast it was as though he had been expecting an attack. Dropping his bag, he plunged his hand inside his robes, and his wand was halfway into the air when James shouted, "Expelliarmus!"
Snape's wand flew twelve feet into the air and fell with a little thud in the grass behind him. Sirius let out a bark of laughter.
"Impedimenta!" he said, pointing his wand at Snape, who was knocked off his feet, halfway through a dive toward his own fallen wand.
Students al around had turned to watch. Some of them had gotten to their feet and were edging nearer to watch. Some looked apprehensive, others entertained.
Snape lay panting on the ground. James and Sirius advanced on him, wands up, James glancing over his shoulder at the girls at the water's edge as he went. Peter was on his feet now, watching hungrily, edging around Remus to get a clearer view.
"How'd the exam go, Snivelly?" asked James.
"I was watching him, his nose was touching the parchment," said Sirius viciously. "There'll be great grease marks all over it, they won't be able to read a word."
Several people laughed; Snape was unpopular. Peter sniggered shrilly. Snape was trying to get up, but the jinx was still operating on him; he was struggling as though bound by invisible ropes.
"You- wait," he panted, staring at James with and expressions of purest loathing. "You- wait...."
"Wait for what"? said Sirius coolly. "What're you going to do, Snivelly, wipe your know on us?"
Snape let out a stream of mixed swearwords and hexes, but his wand being ten feet away nothing happened.
"Wash out your mouth," said James coldly. "Scourgify!"
Pink soap bubbles streamed from Snape's mouth at once; the froth was covering his lips, making him gag, and choking him-
"Leave him ALONE!"
James and Sirius looked around. James's free hand jumped to his hair again, while thoughts tugged at him.
It was one of the girls James had been watching from the lake. She had thick, dark red hair that fell to her shoulders and startlingly green almond-shaped eyes. Easily considered one of the most wanted girls at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, she was also a prefect and had a kick-ass temper.
"All right, Evans?" said James, and the tone of his voice was suddenly pleasant, deeper, more mature.
"Leave him alone," Lily repeated. She was looking at James with every sign of dislike. "What's he done to you?"
"Well," said James, spearing to deliberate the point, "it's more the fact that he exists, if you know what I mean...."
Mandy of the surrounding watchers laughed, Sirius and Peter included, but Remus still apparently intent on his book, didn't and neither did Lily.
"You think your funny," she said coldly. "But your just an arrogant, bullying toerag, Potter. Leave him alone."
"I will if you go out with me, Evans," said James quickly. "Go on...go out with me, and I'll never lay my wand on old Snivelly again."
Behind him the Impediment Jinx was wearing off. Snape was beginning to inch toward his fallen wand, spitting out soapsuds as he crawled.
"I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid," said Lily.
"Bad luck, Prongs," said Sirius briskly, turning back to Snape. "OY!"
But too late; Snape had directed his wand straight at James; there was a flash of light and a gash appeared on the side of Jame's face, spattering his robes with blood. James whirled about; a second flash of light later, Snape was hanging upside down in the air, his robes falling over his head to reveal skinny, pallid legs and a pair of graying underpants. Many people in the small crowd watching cheered. Sirius, James, and Peter roared with laughter.
Lily, whose furious expression had twitched for and instant as though she was going to smile, said "Let him down!"
"Certainly," said James and he jerked the wand upward. Snape fell into a crumpled heap on the ground. Disentangling himself from his robes he got quickly to his feet, wand up, but Sirius said, "Locomortor mortis!" and Snape kneeled over again at once, rigid as a board.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Lily shouted. She had her own wand out now. James and Sirius eyed it warily.
"Ah, Evans, don't make me hex you," said James earnestly.
"Take the curse off him, then!"
James sighed deeply, then turned and muttered the counter-curse to Snape.
"There you go," he said, as Snape struggled to his feet again, "you're lucky Evans was her, Snivellus-"
"I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!"
Lily blinked. "Fine," she said coolly. "I wont bother in the future. And I'd wash your pants if I were you, Snivellus."
"Apologize to Evans!" James roared at Snape, his wand pointed threateningly at him.
"I don't want you to make him apologize," Lily shouted, rounding on James. "Your as bad as he is...."
"What?" yelped James. "I'd NEVER call you a- you-know-what!"
"Messing up your hair because you think it looks cool to look like you just got off your broomstick, showing off with that stupid Snitch, walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can- I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with your fat head on it. You make me SICK."
She turned on her heel and hurried away.
"Evans!" James shouted after her, "Hey, EVANS!"
But she didn't look back.
"EEEARGH!!" Lily screamed walking back to her friends. "What is IT with him? What is his problem???"
"Well, Evans," her best friend Jenny Watt said, teasing. "It seems as though his problem is you."
Lily looked at her best friend. Jen was the type of girl guys fell over. She had brown hair that was just long enough to put into a ponytail. Her brown eyes, had depths to match James's (a feature Lily choose to ignore), and her body had all the curves in the right places. She was very outgoing, and great friends with the Marauders. She also seemed to have a new boyfriend every month. Lauren Morris, the girl who completed the trio of the most popular Hogwarts females, was opposite, personality wise of Jen. She was very shy, and only knew Remus enough to talk to. She had had one boyfriend in her time at Hogwarts and he had ended the relationship by cheating on her. Also unlike Jen, Lauren had long gorgeous blond hair that ended in little curls at her waist.
"Why don't you like him?" Lauren's small voice piped. "He's head over heels in love with you."
"Did you just hear anything I said over there?"
"Yeah."
"Well, why are you asking?"
"Oh," said Lauren sarcastically. "You mean you didn't say those things just to get him mad?"
"No, I meant every word," said Lily.
The tone in her voice let both of them know she was done discussing the subject.
"But, Lily...He really does lo-"started Jen.
Lily lost it. "LOOK I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT JAMES POTTER'S OBSESSION OVER ME, GOT IT?!?! Leave it alone!" And she stormed off.
James stood as Lily stomped by, and called out, rather cockily, "You were talking about me, huh?"
Lily walked calmly over to James and smacked him hard in the face, leaving a very clear red outline of her hand on his cheek. "You wish, James."
He sat down in shock, and watched her run the rest of the way to the castle. He rubbed his cheek in pain.
"Damn that hurts."
"She can slap, huh, Prongs?" asked a cheeky Sirius.
When there was no response, Sirius and Remus quickly went over to James to see what was wrong. Sitting there...blissfully happy was James.
"Um...what's wrong, mate?" questioned Remus.
James smiles widely. "She called me James."
At the leaving feast that evening they plowed into their food like they hadn't eaten in weeks. Gryffindor once again won the house cup, and the whole table was partying.
James happily looked up the table at Lily, where his expression turned to one of misery. Remus saw the look.
"Why are you so sad James?"
James looked back at Remus and sadly said, "Mate, this is going to be a long summer."
Remus watched him stand and rush out of the Great Hall attracting the attention of Lily.
She walked over to Remus, and quietly, as though she didn't want to be heard caring for James asked, "What was that?"
Remus smiled and said, "What do you think, Lily? Summer starts tomorrow, remember" And turned away to finish his meal.
Lily, Jen and Lauren sat in their compartment of the Hogwarts Express, chatting about the past school year, and how much they were going to miss each other, when they heard a huge explosion coming from the corridor.
They looked at each other and Lily thought Oh, no what have they done now?? Suddenly the door slid open and four boys tumbled to the floor. Remus, Sirius, James, and Peter tried to stand up and brush off their robes.
"Er...sorry we barged in, Lily," said James nervously.
Sirius strode over to Lily, bent down on one knee, grabbed Lily's hand and kissed it. "My fair maiden," he recited. "How wonderful it is to see you this fine day! I'm dreadfully sorry we burst in like this but James was insistent of seeing his Lily flow-"
He cut off as James hit him in the back of the head. Lily blushed turned and faced the window as if nothing had happened. Her friends snickered.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh," said Sirius, heading over to Jen. "M'lady, I do hope that you would take a walk with this distinguished gentleman.
She looked slowly around and then asked, smiling, "Um, Sirius...I don't see any gentleman here."
He gasped dramatically and picked her up, giggling. "We're leaving this joint dearie!" And they left.
Lily looked around and realized that during the show Lauren, Remus, and Peter had also disappeared leaving her alone with James. She glanced at him, the turned and enjoyed the passing scenery for the rest of the ride, leaving him staring at her.
When the train finally started slowing down, the rest of the Mauraders, Jen and Lauren came back. They cleaned up the compartment, gathered their things, and left into the station. Once they got into the station Lily, Jen and Lauren all hugged and said their "good-byes" and "see you next summers". Lily was left with the guys.
"Well," she said, turning towards Sirius. "I'll miss you, old pal!" Sirius ran forward and hugged her tightly, laughing.
"LET GO off me!!" she screamed, trying to breathe. He finally put her down and she turned and waved bye to Peter who was heading off with his father. Lily then looked at Remus and smiled, "I'm going to miss our chats, Remus. Especially with you helping me," she chanced a quick glance at James, "with...well you know what and all." She smiled wider and hugged him.
She slowly turned and looked at James, who was hoping he'd at least get a slight hug. With no smile, not a single look of recognition she said, "Bye Potter," and turned back to Sirius and Remus. "It's going to be a long summer you guys!!" She walked away from them leaving James wondering how she knew what he was thinking.
