The Marauders and the Year of Dark Uprising
Summary: We all know Lily and James are destined for each other. But just how does James convince Lily that he really has changed in order for her to give him a chance? Follow the Marauders, Lily, and her friends as their sixth year begins. How do nine teenagers cope with the strange things happening with the rise of a Dark Lord, and the pranking chaos that ensues, and the dramatic twists of their love lives? Read (and review, of course) to find out. Title subject to change. Rating (for language mostly) just to be safe. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Hey, guys! JKR here, righting this fanfic while I neglect my duty of finishing the actual HP series! Totally joking. But you were convinced, right? I'm touched. I can assure you, I am not the genius known as J. K. Rowling, and if I were, I wouldn't be writing on a fan site. I'm not her, so don't sue.
A/N: This is my first ever attempt at writing for pleasure (because HP is so awesome), so any constructive criticism you have would be much appreciated and considered. Flames welcome (I could use a good laugh anyway). Read and Review!
Chapter 1: Hogwarts Express Reunions
Amidst her empty train compartment, sixteen-year-old Lily Evans carefully unfolded the first letter she had received over the summer break from her fellow Gryffindor and best friend as she waited the arrival of the rest of her friends. The creases along the parchment were worn from Lily excessively whipping it out for a quick read.
She began perusing each word slowly, taking the time to reabsorb its contents for what seemed like the millionth time since a familiar brown owl had brought it to her lonesome bedroom window.
Lily,
It already feels like I haven't seen you in ages! How's your summer going? Have you already been bombarded by James Potter's (a.k.a. President of the Lily Evans Fan Club) love letters? He's a bit clingy—but I'm sure you know all about that, don't you?
Anyway, I hope for your sake Petunia isn't being a right pain in the arse, as I suspect she is. If you need me to deal with her properly, I've been working diligently on my Stinging Hex, which Ian will grudgingly confirm I'm quite good at now. (How else would I shut him up from pining about his stupid girlfriend last year? He finally saw reason when I was through with him!) Don't worry, I'm not actually about to break the Degree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, as I'm sure you were about to chide me about.
On a lighter note, nothing much has happened here. Although, Mum's in a fit trying to get Lynn's baby shower ready in time. She's due sometime around Christmas. Unfortunately though, she and Merrill have taken up residence in my room, leaving me to shack up with Jillian. She's so much younger, and it's not as if she can even play Quidditch with me yet, seeing as how she has no broom. I told my mom that the living arrangements were unfair and she waved me off, saying I was being selfish. Honestly! I have bloody needs, too, you know! But, does she listen? Of course not. Whatever.
Oh! I've just remembered that Oliver is finally coming home next week, as soon as he completes his Auror training. My parents have been going crazy trying to make everything at home perfect for his homecoming (and here I am, sharing a small room with an eleven-year-old and they don't do anything whatsoever about that!). At the way Mum and Dad were beaming with pride, you'd think I weren't here at all, the way they go on about how wonderful and brave he is. Don't get me wrong though, I really do miss him. He leaves at the end of summer for his first assignment too. In the meantime he promised he'd help Ian and I practice Quidditch, though (as if I need it—Bludgers practically run for cover when I'm on the field!).
Don't let Petunia keep you down, and hurry up and send Iris with a reply, will you?
Your astoundingly gorgeous friend,
Evelyn
Lily snorted. Astoundingly gorgeous? Evelyn always seemed to make her laugh, and she particularly missed her witty—though sometimes crass—comments this summer.
In fact, laughter was especially hard to come by at the Evans' home—though it's taken for granted all the time, yet is one of the things Lily surely missed most during the summer holidays away from her Hogwarts friends. After sharing a small suburban home in Surrey with her unbearable troll of a sister, Petunia, life in Lily's world sometimes seemed lonely.
Normally, Lily was forced to endure Petunia's constant presence during the summer holidays, attempting in vain to keep at least a one-room buffer between them lest Lily lose her temper. She would usually just pretend she didn't hear the occasional whispered insult as she tried to do her summer homework, but sometimes Petunia went too far. Lily distinctly remembered a time after her fifth year exams when she boxed Petunia right in the nose after she referred to Lily's O.W.L. scores as being 'less than perfect' when she received an E on her Transfiguration exam. For someone who didn't know Lily, they might say that's a little harsh—after all, there's nothing wrong with one E when the rest of your scores are so superb. But not for Lily. As far as Lily was concerned, it was one thing to make fun of the fact that she even possessed magic abilities; it was an entirely different circumstance to debase those abilities. Lily then threatened to remove the hair from her sister's head with a good Instant Scalping hex, but her parents grounded her for her previous aggression and forced her to apologize before said threat could be performed. Despite Lily's violent reaction, Petunia didn't let up in her insults. However, she chose to spit them only as she quickly exited a room and continued to check over her shoulder frequently when she believed Lily to be in close proximity, fearful that her hair would disappear if didn't keep her eye on her vengeful sister.
But this past summer took a different turn soon after that incident, but Lily couldn't figure out just what was so different when it occurred to her—Petunia had been mysteriously absent in her usual taunting. In fact, she was rarely home at all, Lily noticed, and absent almost everyday for at least several hours. Even when she did frequent the house, she wasn't nearly as spiteful as before, acting cheerful and—well, very un-Petunia-like. Upon addressing her parents with the issue, her mum said, "Well, isn't it obvious?" Lily's confused expression prompted her to continue. "She's seeing someone, dear," her mum elaborated.
So that was it—that was why she was mysteriously absent and so abnormally cheery; Petunia's dating somebody! Imagine! Who, Lily wondered, would possibly want to date my obnoxious sister, anyway? After everything she's ever done to me—the insults, the taunting, the constant reminders of how different I am—who could possibly endure her in a relationship—let alone a romantic one? Lily certainly wanted to meet the man so that she could personally thank him for keeping her sister away from the house and marvel at his ability to tolerate her. She didn't know she'd get her wish granted so soon, and with such a different reaction.
Lily met Vernon Dursley when Petunia brought him to dinner later that week, and he turned out to be just as unpleasant as her own sister was. He was a large, beefy man that gave Lily shifty eyes the whole evening as if she would explode at any moment, giving her the definite suspicion that Petunia had already forewarned him all about her "abnormalities." Lily definitely wasn't thrilled to have another "Petunia" that would be just as critical of her as her own sister was.
However, after the evening ended (Thank Merlin!), Lily began to reconsider the situation optimistically. If Vernon continued to see Petunia and kept her far, far away from her Lily, then she was given freedom from Petunia's constant spite. She'd finally be gone, at long last!
And with that uplifting prospect, Lily's dreadful summer began to turn up, although she wished she could share her happiness with the comfort of her friends from Hogwarts.
Usually one friend or another would invite her over for a week or two during summer to the sanity of their normal wizarding home. Unfortunately for Lily, all of her friends had plans—plans that unfortunately did not include her this time. Evelyn was spending the summer catching up with her older brother, Oliver, who'd finally returned from Auror training and was spending the rest of the holidays with his family. Although Lily was extremely happy for her, she still wished Evelyn's summer plans included her even though she knew she was being selfish. Another friend of Lily's was touring Spain with her aunt while two of her other closest friends were visiting their respective families elsewhere in Britain. Each one of them promised to keep Lily extremely up-to-date in all of their letters, so it came as no surprise to Lily when a myriad of owls pecked on her window each week.
Her friends' letters were her only escape to sanity when Petunia became unbearable in the earlier days of the summer. For the first few weeks until Vernon came along, Lily relied on them to keep the lines of communication open between her Muggle home and the magical world. Sometimes, Lily reluctantly admitted, having magical parents would make life at home so much easier—her parents could understand and assist her with her schoolwork, be able to conjure up a needed object with the flick of a wand, and her sister wouldn't resent her for her differences, as Petunia too would posses the magical trait.
But Lily Evans' parents were not magical; they're Muggles, and cannot always comprehend their bright witch of a daughter. They didn't understand the fact that simply because they possess not one drop of magical blood, Lily would face prejudice in the wizarding world. They didn't understand that her non-magical upbringing and blood impurity made her not only different, but inferior in the eyes of some of Pureblood wizards.
Ever since she learned her place among wizarding society, however, Lily became a determined student to prove herself and earn herself a respectful reputation. She earned top marks to show everyone that being a Muggleborn did not handicap her intelligence. She worked diligently everyday with the goal of achieving the approval of society, her family, but most importantly for her own personal satisfaction.
But, as Lily constantly chided herself, who cares about the approval of those who don't matter when one has the support and acceptance of the best friends anyone could ask for? It's true—while she may not be accepted by the few blood-supremacy crazed out there, her Gryffindor room mates stood by her one hundred and ten percent through everything since the day they met. They defended her when she felt threatened because of her parentage and they encouraged her to prove those Purebloods wrong about Muggleborns. She felt closer to them than anybody else in her life, and missed them terribly over the summer break. Although they wrote her, and she them, Lily was overjoyed to be finally returning to the place where they all dwelled together at Hogwarts.
Lily shoved the memory aside as her mind reentered the present. Just as she began to neatly refold the letter, a familiar voice interrupted her reverie.
"Oi! Evans, put that down for one ruddy second and give me a hand, would you?" shouted a perturbed brunette, yet failing to hide her unmistakable grin. She hadn't changed a bit, Lily noticed; she had the same sleek hair pulled back into a messy ponytail, and her brown eyes held the same warmth and glow that she always possessed.
"Why, Evelyn Marie Wood, it would be my pleasure," responded Lily cheerfully, taking hold on one of the several bags she had been lugging about.
"I really don't see how the Muggles live without magic," Evelyn burst out. "I mean, really—having to carry around such heavy things all the time? It's bloody ridiculous! . . . There, that's better. Anyway—it's wonderful to see you again, Lily! How was your summer? You seemed unusually upbeat in your last letter."
"Oh, that. Well . . . Petunia's finally got a new hobby besides annoying me—a boyfriend—Vernon Dursley's his name—and don't ask me how she managed that feat, because I have no idea," Lily gave a revolted look. "With her out of the house, I didn't have to endure her constant terrorizing. It was paradise compared to the norm. So, where's Ian and Jillian?"
Evelyn shrugged. "Hell if I know; can't keep track of all the Woods in my bloody huge family, you know, but I'm sure they're around here somewhere. I bet my brother's looking for his little fifth year friends. . . . I think I saw Jillian heading for a compartment with some blonde first year. . . . Is that Natalie? Over here, Nat!"
A tall girl with a slightly flushed, yet freckled face and curly blonde ringlets made her way into the compartment, her bags in tow.
"Hello, Lily, Evelyn; seen Bea or Cassie here yet?" she managed between breaths.
The three united girls began chatting away at once. After Natalie engaged Evelyn in a deep conversation on the latest Quidditch match (the Appleby Arrows versus the Hollyhead Harpies), two more familiar faces appeared in the doorway. One belonged to a dark-skinned girl with brilliant blue eyes who leaned against the doorway; the other was a petite and very attractive girl with golden hair and fair skin. The latter's clothes appeared to be saturated with—
"MILK!" she bellowed. "Of all things! Sodding Black and his stupid mates . . . thought it would be funny to levitate milk-filled balloons over my head as soon as I got on the train! Well, I'll show him!" She proceeded to perform a quick "Scourgify!" to rid herself of the mess on her robes before sitting down, crossing her arms defiantly, and glaring out the window as she started planning a plot to extract her revenge.
Lily tried to look sympathetic while the rest simply tried to muffle their giggles into their hands; they did not want the girl's fury to be redirected at themselves.
As the dark-skinned girl took the seat across from her, she remarked, "Bea, I believe that might have had something to do with the incident last year—you know—where you threw that glass of milk into Black's face at breakfast? I distinctly recall the phrase 'Got milk, Black?' being used."
The angry girl mellowed down, looking thoughtful. Then she grinned at the memory.
"Right . . . right . . . But that was after I found out he was the one sending me those Howlers—charming his voice different, of course—which claimed I was a 'batty old crone' that 'had the intelligence of a flobberworm' and I was so infuriated I just . . . just reacted, y'know? So, technically speaking, he's still one up on me and I need to get even," she reasoned, returning her determined gaze out the window.
"You know, you really shouldn't continue descending to their level, especially since it always involves breaking rules and could cost Gryffindor points," pointed out Lily politely, even though she doubted she was being listened to.
She glowered at Lily. "Always rules, rules, rules, with you, Lily—guess that's just a side-effect of being a prefect. But honestly, whose side are you on anyway? You know they deserve it—surely you can't've forgotten about Potter and his series of troublemaking?"
"Honestly? I'm not justifying either one of you. 'S far as I'm concerned he does deserve it, but it's really up to an authority figure to deem punishment, Beatrice."
"Oh please. You know you don't really believe that rubbish. It's all a façade you put on while carrying out prefect duties and reporting students to teachers. . . . But deep down, you want to see me, among others, deflate Potter and Black's ego with a flick of my wand. Admit it!"
"No, I don't!" retorted Lily hotly, although it wasn't the least bit convincing. Beatrice smirked, knowing she had won her point.
Suddenly, the dark girl expressed a question that had been on her mind for some time, wiping Beatrice's smug appearance clean.
"You know, it's strange—you and Black—didn't used to be this . . . bitter towards each other, I seem to recall. Then, all of a sudden, it's like you declared war in . . . fourth year, wasn't it? I don't exactly remember why."
All she received was annoyed muttering in response, where "stupid prick" and "bloody bastard" were the only discernable words.
"Oh yes, Beatrice, really, I would have hated it if you had been vague. But fine—bottle all your frustration inside until you explode at the 'stupid prick' known as Sirius Black," responded the dark girl sarcastically. "Besides," she continued, "everyone knows Black is a—what was it? Oh yes—'bloody bastard' to anyone who ticks anyone in his and Potter's little gang off. What did he do precisely that made you so different from the rest of his victims, hm? I wonder if it had anything to do with last—"
"Alright, Cassandra, I get it, so you can stop analyzing my frustration," interrupted Beatrice indignantly.
"So, Lily," Evelyn broke in, trying to maintain the peace, "run into James yet? You know—the pathetic excuse of a male who's bloody obsessed with the 'red-haired goddess' known as Lily Evans?"
Lily snorted, looking appalled. She wrinkled her nose and rolled her emerald eyes, clearly conveying that she didn't find his attention at all flattering; rather, she found his arrogance and persistence a nuisance.
"Thankfully, no; not yet, that is. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if he turned up any moment to ask me out again. Stupid prick, can't take no for an answer, that one. When will he get it through his thick skull that he can't win me over like all his other flavors-of-the-week? I'm not just any girl, and when I say I can't be won, I mean it!" she proclaimed, cheeks tinged pink in frustration.
Natalie nodded in understanding, but persisted. "Maybe he is a conceited prick, Lily, but he's really cute. I'd date him," she admitted thoughtfully, her eyes dancing with mischief as if she were contemplating that very idea. Lily, looking both horrified and repulsed at the idea of someone willingly dating the one person she despised, simply gaped at Natalie. "Only joking, Lily."
Lily's expression mollified, at least until Evelyn sniggered in an undertone, "As if Potter would betray his precious Lily."
The fury in Lily began to build—the typical effect that Potter had on her, even when he was out of the room. There is absolutely no way Potter and I could ever have a future together! The idea is enough to make me sick. What does anyone see in him anyway? All he has going for him is his money, his Quidditch skills, and maybe his looks. Lily rolled her eyes. If you can call his untamed hair and glasses attractive, anyway. Those attributes hardly even begin to make up for everything else despicable about him, though. I can't stand him! He's so arrogant, and conceited, and insensitive, and annoying, and cocky, and—
"Hello . . . Earth to Lily? Lily! Snap out of it!" Natalie interrupted, waving a hand in Lily's entranced face. "I just asked you if you wanted to play Exploding Snap with me and Evelyn."
And just when my 'Reasons why I hate Potter' list was really on a roll. "No thanks, Nat—Prefect meeting in a few minutes," said Lily.
"—Was probably dreaming of her precious Potter . . ." Lily heard Beatrice whisper to Natalie, before she disappeared behind a rather large crimson book. Neither even attempted to conceal their loud fit of giggles.
"Of course I wasn't!" Lily protested, flushing slightly.
"Denial," Natalie and Evelyn chorused, identical grins plastered on their grinning faces.
"—Is not just a river in Egypt, mate," continued Cassandra.
"I happen to think Potter is an intolerable git," Lily affirmed with a confident scowl.
"So we've heard," Cassandra noted.
"—Many times," added Natalie.
"—A day," chimed Beatrice, unblinkingly from behind her book she had been reading by the muggle author Shakespeare.
All, excluding Lily, burst into peals of laughter.
"Only because that's what he is," interrupted Lily in her own defense. "He and his silly friends insist on pranking everyone to death, cursing anyone because they can, and showing off whenever in public. . . . It's all so frustrating, really—I don't see why Potter thinks I'll ever go out with his oversized ego anyway; why would anyone?"
"Speaking from personal experience, I'd say it's because he's handsome, rich, popular, an excellent Chaser. . . . Gee, you're right, Evans, why would anyone want that?" Evelyn answered sarcastically.
"If Potter's such a catch, why aren't you still dating him, then?" Lily shot back.
"Isn't it obvious, Lily? He's been hung up on you since fourth year. It was always 'Evans this' and 'Evans that' that eventually drove me bloody insane. Probably just dating me to make you jealous, which, was quite stupid of him, seeing as how you can't even stand him. I didn't mind though, I admit, because he was quite a decent kisser." Evelyn chuckled at the look of repulsion on Lily's face. "Besides that, I figured I couldn't deny the rest of Hogwarts with a beauty such as myself any longer, could I? I'd been off the dating market for too long by then. It just wasn't fair to the rest of the male population."
Lily and Natalie threw several chocolate frogs from the trolley at the smug brunette, but instead of looking defeated, Evelyn simply smiled and began to happily tear open the frog that landed near her left foot.
Evelyn continued in-between bites. "We both agreed we wanted different things: he wanted Lily, I wanted to snog other blokes—so it all worked out for the best. Don't worry, Lily," she added hastily. "I would never want to steal away your future husband, although I undoubtedly could," she added as an afterthought. Evelyn grinned evilly as Lily glared daggers at her. "Oh yes, and then I met that really cute Ravenclaw sixth-year—Terrence Blakeley—and when I knew he didn't have a thing for red-heads, I made my move."
"Blakeney," Cassandra corrected. "And he was a Hufflepuff. Honestly, Evelyn, if you're going to have twenty boyfriends a year, you might as well know their proper names."
"Whatever. The point is," said Evelyn, simply waving Cassandra's perfectly accurate advice aside, "that James does have some redeeming qualities, Lily, but like most blokes he can't show it without acting like a complete prat. Unfortunately, he's just not right for me. Black, on the other hand . . ." she said, eyes alight and grinning suggestively.
"I think I'll ignore the fact that you're trying to promote Potter's dating campaign," Lily responded. Then she raised her eyebrows in realization. "You going after Black yourself, Evelyn?"
"No need. She dated him in fifth year—don't you remember? If you call snogging him dating, that is. Don't blame her really, even if he's a prat too, he's gorgeous," said Natalie.
"And also a pain in the arse, McKinnon," Beatrice added, setting down her book to take part in the conversation. "I personally don't see how you put up with him for as long as you did, Evelyn, but I suppose even the legendary Sirius Black couldn't hold your attention for that long." She paused, turning toward Lily. "And as for Potter, I quite agree with you: he needs to do some growing up before expecting you to go out with him. How Lupin and Pettigrew put up with those two all these years, I'll never understand."
"Speaking of which," Lily interjected, "Remus and I really need to meet in the Prefects' compartment. I suppose I'll go drag him away from his ruddy mates. See you lot later, then."
As soon as she slammed shut the compartment door, she heard the familiar sound of Exploding Snap cards which were—well, exploding. She turned around and grinned cheekily through the window as she saw Natalie—her eyebrows looked as though they were badly singed—who gave her a stern look as if to say 'You better run for it, Evans.' As Natalie started to rise, Lily quickly darted down the hallway, hoping Natalie hadn't actually followed her, when she ran head-first into a tall, dark figure. His rumpled black hair and cocky smirk was unmistakable. As if by reflex, he reached up to tussle his hair. Lily groaned inwardly.
"Hey, Evans! Fancy meeting you here. Have a nice summer? Did you get my letters?" said James Potter, who grinned as he extended a hand to help her up after the collision sent her ungracefully to the floor.
"Yes, I did, Potter," she replied tersely, ignoring his hand and standing up. "And I'll thank you not to send anymore of them—it was rather annoying, and my parents are now referring to you as my 'stalker.' You needn't have bothered with so many, seeing as how after the first three, I started pitching them in the fire."
Instead of looking defeated, James' grin broadened. "It's only a matter of time, Evans. I'm sure my persistence will pay off eventually. One can only resist my charms for so long before they are inevitably drawn back to me. Although, you're the first to try, I admit. By the way—go out with me?"
She scowled and ignored him, attempting to shove past him to find Remus's compartment; he simply blocked her. "Out of my way, Potter, I have a prefect meeting to be at and I really don't want to have to dock points from my own house for you delaying me, so if you'll excuse me—go pester someone else . . ."
"Your words wound me, Evans," he said dramatically, placing a hand over his heart, although he did not look the least bit wounded at all. "Besides, what's your hurry? Meeting doesn't start for a good ten minutes; at least, that's what Remus said, and he's quite a reliable source. Join us in our compartment for a few, would you?"
"No thank you, Potter. I really don't want to spend anymore time with you than necess—oof!" She was abruptly cut off as James lightly shoved her into the nearest compartment.
Amidst a multitude of empty candy wrappers and Quidditch magazines, sat the three other infamous Marauders. Peter and Sirius were casually swapping Chocolate Frog cards while Remus was sitting comfortably in the corner, engaged in his latest read. All of them looked up at her in surprise as she grudgingly entered.
"Why, it's the lovely Miss Evans! Certainly heard your name many times over the holidays, seeing as how James wouldn't shut the bloody hell up." Sirius narrowed his eyes at James, then resumed talking to Lily with phony sincerity. "And to what do we all owe this great pleasure, hm? Couldn't have something to do with your dieing affection for a certain irresistible, and—lucky for you—single bloke sitting right in front of you, could it?" Sirius wagged his eyebrows suggestively and winked at her, while James threw him a scathing look.
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. Sirius Black: biggest flirt at Hogwarts. "I'll tell you what brought me here: your inconsiderate mate just shoved me in. Oh, and Black, I can assure you with complete confidence—I did not come to hear your sorry excuse for flirting, although, now I'm kind of curious as to how other respectable girls could possibly fall for those clichéd lines."
Sirius, feigning offense, puffed out his bottom lip and showed Lily his "puppy eyes," causing her to suppress her laughter into her hand.
"Lily, you and I both know that these two can't go five minutes without acting like typical teenage blokes." Remus smiled as his eyes met hers over the top of his book. At least one of them has some decency, thought Lily. "I do try to restrain them, hoping one day that all my positive influence will have paid off, but alas—they're lost causes, both of them. I'm not quite sure why I even bother to try and change them anymore, these days."
"You know you love us, Moony," said James, clapping him on the shoulder.
"Yes, and I let you get away with so much because of it," answered Remus, with just a trace of regret. No one noticed it.
"It's not as if anyone could control those two, anyway," piped up Peter.
"Too right you are, Wormtail," said Sirius, smirking with self-satisfaction.
Moony? Wormtail? I'll never understand these four and their childish ways, Lily thought to herself
"Care for a Cauldron Cake, Lily?" Sirius attempted an innocent face as he extended the sweet towards her.
"I'm not that thick, Black. It's just another pitiful attempt to get me to eat a nasty Cockroach Cluster again that you've charmed to look like something edible."
"Suit yourself. The twenty times you fell for that one last year were funny enough," Sirius said, withdrawing his arm and stuffing the contents in his mouth. Lily glowered. Damn my gullibility! "I remember the first time," he continued, still chewing, "you fell for it, you took it without even suspecting a thing—which isn't something to do when you consider our well-known reputation—and you then got this horribly disgusted expression on your face when you ate it; priceless! You're too trusting for your own good, Lily dear."
"For your information," Lily stated firmly, hating to be the butt of his joke, "I only fell for it twice last year."
"Although true, that's not exactly something to boast about, Lily," said Remus pointedly.
"However, it was a step up from the time in fourth year when we kept following her around the school for at least twenty minutes while splitting her bag open numerous times. We must have pulled that one five times! You didn't even see us, Evans, until, like, three floors later!"
Sirius gave a howl of laughter as James didn't hesitate to reenact the prank—imitating a befuddled Lily—as he clutched his sack with mock confusion at an imaginary rip. Peter nearly fell off his seat laughing.
Enough with their stupid antics, especially at my expense! Definitely time to get out of here now, Lily decided.
"Right. As . . . interesting as it's been talking to you all, Remus and I are both expected in the prefect's compartment," she blurted, desperate to escape to the company of at least three of the troublemakers.
Remus nodded and stood, opening the door and leading the way. Lily followed suit, glancing back to find James waving merrily at her through the compartment window. She knows she loves me, James thought. When out of sight, he turned back to face the remaining occupants in his company.
After a moment of silence, James spoke up. "I'm making leeway, gentlemen. I'll bet pretty soon Evans won't be able to turn me down and will finally go out with me," James announced with an air of confidence.
Sirius muttered "I'll take that bet" just as Peter asked "how do you know?" with rapt curiosity.
"I'd be delighted to explain, Wormtail," said James, ignoring Sirius and looking positively jubilant at, what he thought, was an impressive proclamation.
Sirius groaned. "Here we go again . . . What's the new tactic this year, Prongs? Going to send her a bouquet of roses via owl like you tried during Valentine's fourth year? Or how about the time last year when you displayed that large banner in the Great Hall with a picture of yourself and 'Go out with me, Evans?' on it? Or what about—"
"Okay, I get it, Padfoot!" said James exasperated. Gee, good to know I have such supportive friends. "Besides, those are all in the past, mate. I've learned since then. I know better now. Plus if I blow this chance, I'll only have one year left. But that won't happen because, like I said, I'm making leeway. Didn't you notice that, during the whole time she was in my presence, she never called me a 'sodding prick,' a 'conceited git,' or even an 'infuriating prat' once? She's falling for me," he reasoned.
Sirius blinked. He appeared to be actually considering James' rubbish logic for a moment, and then he finally remembered his sanity.
"Well, then. I withdraw all my previous doubts. How could I have missed true love blossom before my very eyes? By all means, Prongs, when's the wedding?" asked Sirius sardonically.
James chucked Remus's book at him, but missed his head by a foot as Sirius dodged.
"Now really, Prongs, is that our star Chaser? If that's your best effort, then I'd just hand over the Cup to the Slytherins right now and save yourself the humiliation."
Frowning, the thought of Lily left James' mind as he heatedly contemplated the Slytherins with the Cup. Fat chance, they've got. He suddenly remembered something.
"Fountaine's been made Captain this year, you know. Strict, she is. Probably likely she'll have us practicing day and night until the first match. But she'll keep us in shape and get the team ready for certain. Whatever it takes to wipe the smile off those slimy Slytherins, I'm up for it."
"I wouldn't worry, mate, you've got the best team since third year when Maureen Webb used to be our superb seeker. Too bad she graduated. Besides, you've got Wood and McKinnon on the team, and they're as fierce as any I've seen. I know that Wood, for one, can definitely handle those Bludgers—remember when she punched me last year after I casually chatted up Chloe Winters? Took it a little too personal, I say. Well, I guess we were dating then, but still—didn't think she had to give me a bloody black-eye!"
"Where you're concerned with girls, Padfoot, there's generally nothing casual about it. But you're definitely right—Wood does have strength worthy of a dangerous Beater. Her viciousness is quite legendary, I remember," James commented matter-of-factly, reminiscing on many previous Quidditch matches where the opposing team had do avoid many of her deadly Bludgers.
"McKinnon too—great Keeper. Remember she was nearly knocked from her broom by a Bludger but still managed to make that save?" supplied Peter, awestruck.
"Cup's ours this year for sure," continued James. "So long as the Slytherins don't jinx our brooms or something else scummy, which, wouldn't be all that surprising, coming from those bunch of cheaters."
"Speaking of them, what's our first prank of the year? I've been itching to hex Snivellus all summer long, the greasy git. We need something new, never been done before, something like—"
"Agreed, however—" interrupted James "—Let's wait until later tonight, when Moony can join us."
"Right, we also need to discuss the next full—oh, hello there, Basil. What can we do for you?"
Cassandra Basil was poking her head through the compartment door she had just opened. She smiled in greeting, then proceeded to occupy Remus's abandoned seat, reclining her legs in relaxation.
"I needed to escape from the rest of them, actually. They were . . . less than amusing," she offered. When she only received blank stares, she elaborated. "Evelyn and Natalie insist on betting who can eat the most Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans without getting sick, which is to say, they were still gagging on some soap flavored ones by the time I'd left. Bea prefers to be boring as she reads—although, I happened to notice her eyes weren't moving—possibly to hide the fact that she's plotting some sort of retaliation on Black here, so you've been forewarned. Nice one—with the milk—by the way, Regnet was utterly pissed." She laughed as she directed the complement towards Sirius, who looked more than pleased with himself.
"Glad someone appreciates my one of my many striking talents."
"Modest, aren't we, Black?" retorted Cassandra mockingly.
"Never was my strongest point, I'm afraid, dear. I am, however, incredibly good-looking. Now that is something I'm proud of." He grinned triumphantly.
Everyone rolled their eyes. Cassandra didn't even attempt to conceal a snort of mirth.
"Now that wasn't very ladylike, Miss Basil."
"And when, pray tell, have I ever given you the impression that I was a lady, Mr. Black?"
Sirius looked thoughtful for a moment. "Point taken."
"As far as I'm concerned, I'm one of the guys, Sirius Black, and you'd do well to remember it."
"Is that so?" inquired James. "Then perhaps you can help me out with a little . . . problem of mine."
"What could I possibly help you with? You make top marks and excel in Quidditch—although, I don't play it myself, I do love it—and you could have any girl you want in this school! Well, except for Lily, of course, but—oh, I get it."
He nodded in confirmation. "That's right, Cassie. Me and Evans. Help me out here—why won't she go out with me?"
Cassandra sighed, before pausing and glancing at her wristwatch. "Let's see . . . the train arrives at Hogwarts at, what, four? So, that leaves about four and a half hours left. . . ." She screwed up her face in false concentration, peeking out of the corner of her eye. She savored the confused look James gave her as he impatiently awaited her answer. "If we start now and move quickly, I think I may be able to cover just about everything before then. . . . Sit back, Potter, and listen carefully."
A/N: So here's the first chapter, what d'ya think? I know this chapter was probably rather boring because nothing happens. However, I know what's coming, so I'm rather excited about this fic. I'd like to know what you think though, so drop a review and let me know!