"You're sure he was with Crouch?" James whispered as they walked past Professor McGonagall and into class the following morning.

"I mean he's a lying, slimey greaseball so I dunno why you're thinking otherwise, Prongs," Sirius snapped, "There were plenty of potential, if not already, death eaters in and out of my home over the summer and although neither of them were there, there was plenty of talk of the 'potion prodigy'. And it's not surprising if Crouch is in the mix, he's 13 but it's obvious he's a lowlife."

"Far stretch from his dad. It just doesn't make any sense for Severus to have simply followed him without saying anything," Remus sat down in the back of the class.

"Unless he felt that Crouch was up to something and decided to tail him to try to figure out what," Peter chirped up.

"I was actually thinking the same thing, Wormtail," Remus agreed.

"Okay, so Wormtail has a point but it's still suspicious and I don't trust him. Either of them. You said even Evans looked disturbed," Sirius leaned back in the chair to where only two legs were on the ground.

"My poor love, she must have been terrified. If only I was there to protect her from the greaseball," James began daydreaming of shirtless heroic acts in the middle of the corridor last night.

Remus snapped in front of his face, "It was an odd situation and we didn't exactly expect anyone to have the galls to be wandering around on our second night back. That's why they assign first year prefects for the first week."

"Yeah well when you're a death eater in training, school isn't exactly a priority so they figure 'who cares if I'm expelled?'. The arseholes," Sirius grumbled as McGonagall called the class to attention.

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"Hey Lily," Severus nodded as he walked into potions, "Sorry about last night. Lupin pissed me off but I got Bartemius back to the common room and escorted him straight to bed."

"Oh thank you. Sorry about the tension, we were just tired and you caught us at the very end of our rounds, so we were just ready for bed," Lily brushed off her discomfort. It was Sev, he was harmless.

"Well how was it patrolling with Lupin?" Severus sneered.

"You know how I feel about him. He's a great bloke, just chooses the worst company," Lily shrugged.

"You know he takes an active part in all that they do. The pranks, the bullying, the taunting. You don't hang out with Potter and Black and keep your hands clean. They'd be too bored with you."

"I know he tries his hardest to keep them in line. I'm sure the stunts those two pulled would be a lot worse if they only had Peter as their voice of reason. He tries. And Remus definitely isn't a bully, he's possibly one of the sweetest in the school."

Severus scoffed, "Need I remind you that he was the one who made my hair hot pink last year for an entire week."

"Remus admitted to McGonagall that he caught Sirius with both goblets and didn't know which was the contaminated one, so he simply set both back down. It was 50/50 from then on. Avery could have just as easily taken the one you did."

"Oh sure, he's entirely innocent. Why didn't he just dump the both of them, problem solved? Lupin has all of the teachers fooled that he is a saint when he is just as bad as the rest of them."

"Well, excuse me Severus for trying to see the best in people. If I just listened to everyone's opinions about other people, our friendship would have ended first year," Lily huffed and crossed her arms.

Severus' resolved softened, "Lily.."

"Don't, Sev. You don't like it when I talk about who you choose to associate with, so we probably shouldn't talk about who I choose to associate with," Lily turned her head to the front of class, listening to Slughorn explain each potion they would be making throughout the term.

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"Johnson, you're looking fit as always," Sirius puckered his lips at her as she walked past during lunch.

"Shove it up yours, Black," Gabriella flipped him the bird.

"You'd think she would be a little more nice to me knowing we were each other's first kiss," Sirius pouted.

"Maybe. Maybe if she had a choice in the matter but you just kind of attacked her one night sitting by the fire," Remus laughed.

"She should be honored that my attraction to her was so strong that I couldn't physically hold myself back," he defended.

"I think she's just lucky that you were 13 and hadn't discovered the use of you tongue," James quipped.

"Or your hands," Peter snickered.

"As much as I would love to continue talking about Padfoot's kissing improvements, I would rather not," Remus moaned.

"I'll be happy to show you instead then," Sirius winked and Remus quickly looked away.

James raised his eyebrows at Remus' sudden shyness but quickly averted attention, "Wait I thought I was your first kiss!"

"Prongs, please don't shout that to the rooftops. I love you but I don't think I'm ready for the world to know that yet," Sirius shushed James as Peter couldn't control his laughter anymore.

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"Goodmorning Remus. No tweedledee and tweedledum with you?" Lily sat down next to him.

"You really think they're going to take alchemy? They take the required classes for auror training and then care of magical creatures and that's it. Nothing more, nothing less," Remus laughed as he scooted his bag out of her way.

"Aurors? That's a shock considering they're always bullying others and breaking the rules here at school," Lily reprimanded.

"Yeah I know but when it comes to the big things in the world that matter, they know they stand with what is right."

"Look at us, almost all of our conversations revolve around your friends. I hate that. Let's change it, how come you're in alchemy? I had you pegged for the DMLE," Lily smiled.

"The ministry?" Remus was genuinely shocked, "Why would you think that?"

"I dunno," Lily shrugged, "You seem so diplomatic and so smart and I just see you defending the little guys," Lily smiled up at him.

Remus smiled back without thinking, "Well that's nice of you to say, even though you are smarter. But I could never work for the ministry."

"Oh, why's that?"

"They'd never take me," Remus shrugged it off, wanting to change the subject.

"Oh as if, Remus. You're brill and the ministry would be lucky to have you," Lily patted his hand.

Remus was shocked by the contact. He wasn't opposed to it but he was never in a situation where he had physical contact with someone that wasn't a marauder. It was foreign but it was comforting, "Well I don't quite know what I want to do, so I thought I would cover all of my grounds and alchemy just seemed fun to learn about. What bout you? What are you wanting to do?"

"I want to go into either medical research and find new cures for things and hopefully combine muggle and magical medical treatment because yes magical treatment is beyond the muggle world but there are such simple things that muggles have a fix for that wizards and witches don't even realize, even some halfbloods who were raised in the wizarding community. That or I would like to focus primarily on potions and making new potions," one could see the glint of passion in Lily's eyes as she spoke of how she was going to change her wizarding community for the better.

"Oh so nothing too big," Remus chuckled, "That amazing, Lily, really. I have no doubt your name will be known across the entire magical world."

Lily blushed and let her bangs fall in her face a little.

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"So what exactly did she say, Moony?" James bounced on the balls of his feet as the marauders entered an empty classroom on the third floor.

"I've already told you what she said about you, about you and Pads," Remus jumped onto a desk and crossed his legs, opening his book, "Everything else had nothing to do with you."

"Yes, you've said that but if you guys are having deep and thoughtful conversations then that means you're mates. So if you're mates you can talk to her about boys - namely me."

Remus looked up and cocked his head a bit to the side, "How do you figure?"

"Because you're already mates, she can't hate you."

Sirius laughed and Remus shook his head, "Just because we have yet to kill each other when we're being stupid, doesn't mean that's the universal law for friendship. Lily can absolutely decide she doesn't want to listen to me talk you up and simply stop talking to me. So, sorry Prongs, but it's still not going to happen."

James huffed and went to sit in the corner.

"Okay, so we've done the potion last year and we did the mandrake leaf back in June, during finals. How the professors believed we were taking a vow of silence for Peter's dead cat," Sirius laughed.

"Which is ironic considering Wormtail's animagus is a mouse, if the tail and ears you got over the summer are any indication," Remus laughed with Sirius.

"I'm gonna be really upset if I'm not a dog and I'm a fox or something."

"Did you see the size of your paws? There's no way!" Remus encouraged, "Plus a dog makes sense. You're loyal to a fault. You're as messy as one. And chasing your tail could keep you entertained for hours."

"Not to mention how fluffy they were. I bet you'll be super cuddly," Peter piped up.

"Yet another thing that makes sense, you cuddle everyone, literally anywhere and it always looks extremely uncomfortable but there you are," James finally pitched in.

"I'll have you know, Moony, that I will be the first to finally catch their blasted tail," Sirius said with finality.

"Paddy boy, you won't be the first and you won't be the last," James consoled, "Alright, now let's get to it because I'll be damned if you get this before I do."

"As long as Peter doesn't get it before me, I'll be happy," Sirius teased and tried the spell first.

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"Good evening, Lily. How have your classes so far been?" Severus greeted as he sat down Wednesday night at their table in the library.

Lily pointed her nose to the ceiling, "Well I've seen you in just about all of them so far, you know how they've gone. Even though you've only actually spoken to me during potions, although barely, and ancient runes. Something leads me to believe that that was only because I'm the second in potions, after you, and because in ancient runes you don't have Avery in there, or any other Slytherin as a matter of fact. Don't believe that's what one would call a coincidence. Frankly, I'm surprised you even bothered to show up at all tonight."

Severus sighed, "Lily, I don't want to argue. We've barely seen each other over the summer because my parents insisted on traveling and visiting family and I have missed you. It's annoying listening to their comments when they feel that I've abandoned them because of a girl. I know what you're thinking, but it's not like that. They're finally over the girls are icky stage and they're insisting that I'm keeping a secret relationship with you. Of course I keep insisting otherwise, but then they turn around and insist that if I'm not dating you then I should sit with them," Severus rolled his eyes, "It's all very immature and I'm very close to telling them to shove off because you're my best mate, regardless of what Avery seems to think."

Lily slumped her shoulders in defeat, "I'm sorry, Sev. I just know what they say about me and 'my kind' and sometimes I think they'll bully you into completely ignoring me. But you're my oldest and best friend and I know our friendship is stronger than that but still.." Lily faded off.

Severus put his hand on hers and tried his attempt at a smile, "They can shove off."

Lily laughed and covered their hands with her other, "Glad to know you're still here. I have missed you over holiday as well. You're very boring to write to and Petunia was even more dreadful because I got my permit when I got home and she insisted I wouldn't need a car because I'm a wicked witch and can use my broom that I've got shoved up my- well yeah, she was particularly dreadful towards me."

"She, without a doubt, can shove it," Severus laughed when Lily snorted at his remark.

Lily rolled her eyes at him, with a smile on her face. He proceeded to talk to her about all of his theories on the latest potion experiment using frog flesh instead of dragon hide and why he thinks they'll regret it. She was listening but she also couldn't help but feel an overwhelming amount of relief as everything with Severus seemed to be normal. Their two encounters earlier in the week had to of been a fluke. This was Sev, the one who told her she was a witch and taught her so much, and that has still been here through everything. Sev wasn't going anywhere.

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"Come on, Pete. I'm going to drop all of this before I can even make it halfway to the common room. So many bloody stairs ahead of us!" James tried to pick up the pace while also juggling three plates with eggs, sausage, and pancakes, a bowl of oatmeal, a cup of tea, and a cup of orange juice.

"Well your legs are about five inches longer than mine, Prongs! I can only walk so fast before breaking out in an all out sprint," Peter barked, holding two bowls of dry cereal, two plates of toast, and a big goblet of milk.

"Now there's an idea," James bit back.

"And where, pray tell, are you two going?" Lily stood in the entrance of the great hall with her hands on her hips.

If one were to ask James, he would have said that Lily was quite fit when she was telling him off. Thankfully nobody asked him.

"Umm, Sirius, sick, food," Peter mumbled out.

"I don't think so. If he's so sick that he can't come down and eat breakfast then he ought to go to the infirmary. You might as well put those back because you'll not be leaving with them," Lily demanded.

Of course, no one ever had to actually ask James in order for him to say what he thought about Lily, so he went ahead and said it anyways.

"There's something about you scolding me that's unlike when my mum does it. I dunno if it's your hands on your wonderfully curvy hips or your powerful stance- no, mum's got an intimidating stance as well. Hmm, maybe it's the way your green eyes just penetrate my soul. Our kids are going to have your eyes, I just know it," James admired.

"I mean, Prongs, your mum's got curvy hips too-" Peter started.

"Never you mind my mum's hips! Merlin, Wormtail, you don't look at a bloke's mum! Let alone talk about her. What in blazes is wrong with you?" James ragged, almost spilling Remus' cuppa.

"Where's Remus? He most certainly wouldn't approve of you doing this either. I'm sure Sirius is just being lazy-," Lily was cut off very quickly, and quite surprisingly by Peter.

"Actually there's no official rule saying that we cannot take food from the great hall into our dorms. There's just no one who really does it. So if you'll excuse us. Sorry, Lily," Peter squeaked as he shuffled past her.

"Mate, are you alright? You look like you're going to shite yourself," James said in awe as he followed after the shorter, shaking boy.

"Lily is right scary but me spilling this milk in the entrance and drawing attention from everyone, especially McGonagall, is a bit scarier. Two more seconds and that would have been my future," Petter whispered, even thought Lily had long stormed off.

James just shook his head and laughed at his unbelievably shy best friend.

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"You're sure you haven't found anything, Moony?" Sirius whined with his tail between his legs.

Remus looked up with a smirk when he saw the tail have a mind of its' own, "Yes I'm sure, but my sources are limited because I haven't been down to the restricted section yet."

Sirius whined once more as he plopped onto Remus' bed, effectively preventing him from looking for any new information. He knew it was pointless though. He read the books numerous times before.

"We'll figure something out, Pads. On the bright side, that's definitely not a fox's tail," Remus snickered.

"Oh alert the presses, we've got a new comedian," Sirius said without laughter in his tone.

"Lighten up. If anything, Pomfrey will be able to fix it. We'll tell her it was a prank gone wrong, a combination of trick spells."

"This is why you're the brains; you think of literally everything," Sirius shoved Remus' arm out of the way so he could cuddle up to his side.

"You guys are actually quite lucky you've befriended me. You and Prongs would have been expelled by second year. I would actually have some sane mates and Wormtail-"

"Would have only one friend, instead of three," Sirius interjected, "You and Wormy are the lucky ones. We are an absolute riot, me and James."

Remus rolled his eyes as Sirius yawned, "Getting comfortable, are you?"

"Yes. You know I like to sleep when it's warmer and you're the hottest one of us all," Sirius shut his eyes and rested his head on Remus' chest.

Remus blushed at the use of the word 'hotter' and didn't know how to respond. Thankfully he heard Sirius snoring immediately upon going lax. The door opened at that same time and in walked James and Peter with breakfast.

James cocked one eyebrow and looked at Remus with a smirk, "Comfortable?"

"You know Sirius, knows not of personal space," Remus whispered, "Plus we all know this was going to happen. It's Saturday and he only woke up as early as he did because we wanted to know if his tail had gone. We'll go to Pomfrey tomorrow evening if it's not gone. Pass me my tea, will you?"

James didn't wipe the smirk off of his face but passes Remus his tea without comment.