"Lily, Relax! They'll show," a tall girl whispered.

"I know Mead, it's just…well. You know what it's like," the stunning ginger sighed back, stretching her neck to peer around the great hall once more.

It had been a hard year in more than one way, and not just because of the NEWT level courses. The graduating class was a sea of somber but determined faces, proud of their success. Many loved and well known faces were missing from the ranks and Head Girl Lily Evans was anxiously waiting for her partner in crime.

"OK James, seriously?"

"What?"

"No Sirius, I said James. Keep an eye out for that damned cat."

"Remus?"

"Yes Sirius."

"Why isn't Pete down here? He's been acting funny lately…"

"Yeah Remus..."

"James, your back, thank Merlin. I told you, guys, he said he had something to take care of."

A total three quarters of the infamous Maraduers were present for the final farewell. It had been a tough call but finally james had convinced them it must be done. The final piece of the puzzle hadn't been present for that decision either, and stull had not been told of the impact. James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin looked slightly worse for wear, and a little rough around the edges, proof of the tought year they had put behind them. The ten months leading up to the long awaited ceremony, due to start in-

"Shit! Wrap it up James, your gonna be late. You still have to pull a speech out of thin air!"

"Lily's going to kill me. I'm gonna die," He moaned desperately.

Sirius just barked a laugh and loped off up the stairs, giggling madly.

"Where have you been..." she hissed under her breath to the panting young man beside her. He just grinned, a lock of tousled messy hair flopping over the glasses adorning his strong brow.

"We, um, just had to do something."

The long train ride back to King's Cross was rather quiet. The now officially graduated seventh years were shocked and slightly unsure as to what they were to do with themselves.

The six of them squeezed into a compartment, despite space being a little lacking. Lily snuggled up to James, while Sirius stretched his legs across Dorcas and Mary's laps. Remus sat corner to corner on the floor with a stained, dog eared and much lover copy of "Hogwarts: A History" propped open.

"Well," Dorcas's voice rumbled on Sirius's feet and he giggled, earning a strange look from Mary and Lily, a bemused harrumph from Dorcas (which only served to tickle more and make him giggle harder) while both Remus and James ignored their rather strange friend and yawned.

"Jinx! Ha! You both owe me a drink! And don't you worry I'm calling it in! Pronto! A bottle of Ogden's apiece," Sirius exclaimed, sitting up and abruptly stalling his giggles.

"Rather creepy how he does that eh?"

"Padfoot that's not how it works."

A scowl came over the grey eyes, and a silent snarl lifted up the corner of Black's lip, just enough to make him look properly menacing. Dorcas and Mary shared concerned glances, and shifted closer together and farther from him.

Lily looked up at her friends, and seeing their faces, stood up with a sigh.

"OK boys. Enough. James, Remus, spill it. I don't know what you were doing before the ceremony, but it's only fair that you tell us," the slender red head said, crossing her arms.

"Liiii-iiilyyyy..." Sirius whined, a distinctly dog-like note coming across.

"No but's," Mary spoke up.

"Mm but I like yours," Sirius winked, his melancholic mood discarded in favour of flirting.

"That's enough! James was almost late and I was really starting to worry. this year has been hard enough without my boyfriend and his friends disappearing on some bullshit raid!"

"Weelllll..." They sighed in sync, sharing looks betwixt each other.

"Chasing trolls!"

"Charming teapots!"

"Chasing Myrtle!"

"Really James? Teapots? Do you think she's dumb enough to fall for that?!" Sirius stage whispered to his dark haired friend, earning a glare from all three ladies.

Remus just sighed,"guys really? I thought we agreed on the trolls!"

"Well in my defence Myrtle is pretty ugly. She could pass as a troll!" James chuckled.

Ginger, blonde, and dark all looked at one another, before crossing their arms and nodding. Mary smiled seductively and took one step towards her sometimes lover Sirius.

"Come, now, you can tell me," she whispered, putting her hands on his knees and leaning forward, giving him a view she knew he couldn't resist.

"Um well you see um...wehadtoputthemapinFilch'sofficesothenextgeneratiomcouldcausetrouble-justlikewedid!" He said in a rush.

"Sirius!" Remus and James sighed exasperatedly.

"What? You know how I get when she does that to me!"

"Yeah, we do! Which is weird because your never like that around another girl and we know how much you like her!"

He blushed. She blinked. The whistle blew, and the fiery red train pulled into the station once more. All six looked up, and took a deep breath.

"Well." said James.

"Well." They echoed back.

And, standing, they exited the train in search of a new adventure, one without a map or second chances.