The Marauders Plus Cassie

The next day the marauders (and Cassie) were longing in the boy's dorm. Cassie was lying on Sirius' bed reading a book of James' that he refused to let out of his sight, while James himself was hanging upside down off his bed professing his unconditional love for one Lily Evans. Remus ignored this completely and continued going over his last OWL while Sirius was putting the last touches on the prank for the last day from beside Cassie. Oddly Peter wasn't there; he usually followed James and Sirius around like a lost puppy.

'She is just so amazing,' James groaned from his bed. Everyone rolled their eyes at him. Cassie looked up from her book a huge grin plastered on her face. 'You are hopeless, my dear Prongsie.'

'I know,' he moaned miserably again. 'I'm pathetic.'

Cassie just sighed in resignation and closed her book using her finger to keep her place and sat up. 'Do you really like her James? I mean really like her? Because if you're just going to hurt her….'

James rolled over so he was upright and looked at Cassie gravely, 'I could never hurt her.'

'And you're serious about having a real relationship?' Sirius looked up a huge grin on his face.

'I am completely serious ('No, I'm Sirius!'), Cassie.'

'Are you sure because if you are not serious…. ('He's not, I am!') I don't want Lily to get hurt.'

'I am more serious ('Ha, ha!') about her then I've ever been about anyone.'

Cassie studied James as the both ignored Sirius (though Remus was looking at him in disgust). Finally she said, 'All right since you're serious about this I'll help.'

Sirius unable to control himself any longer fell off the bed rolling around on the ground laughing. He was immediately bombarded by his friends with anything that was in reach.

After Cassie had agreed to help James 'woo' ('Never call it that around her,' Cassie scolded after smacking James around the head.) Lily they agreed to allow her to assist in the final prank of their fifth year. Though they made it out as though this was a great privilege to her and interference to them it was most likely because they actually needed her help. Remus agreed with this along with James (although very reluctantly) though Sirius maintained that this was a real honor for her. As unlikely as it may seem Sirius was actually correct: Cassie was the only person ever allowed to participate in a marauder prank.

Almost everyone in the school was looking forward to the end of school fest. It was common knowledge a prank was abound and to most of the school the marauder pranks were not just infamous, they were legendary. This was of course with the exception of Lily Evans and the entire Slytherin house. However they really needn't have worried, the prank was actually tame for the marauders. This was of course at the insistence of Cassie who stubbornly insisted that it be funny for everyone not just the Gryffindors.

'What about the Slytherins?' James asked skeptically when she insisted on this.

'They're not people. THEY don't count,' she answered dismissivly. Cassie had every reason to hate Slytherins. They constantly informed her that she 'polluted' a pure blood line. Fortunately for them most were smart enough to say this out of earshot of James.

As the school entered the Great Hall they all stared expectantly at the marauders who sat at the very front to the dread of the teachers who stared at them apprehensively. Cassie slammed down beside them much to the delight of the student (the pranks with Cassie were always the best) but Cassie looked murderous.

'I want to do the Slytherin table,' she whispered murderously at James who, after knowing Cassie so long knew only one thing could give her that look, just nodded and passed her the cloak under the table. The Great Hall fell into a hush as Dumbledore stood to face the students.

'Another year has gone! I must trouble you with one last matter before we all consume our delicious feast. The house cup….'

There was a deafening roar from the Gryffindor table and a good deal of cheering from the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables. Only the Slytherin table remained stonily silent. A mutual understanding had rose between the three houses in the last couple years that as long as Slytherin didn't win they would all be happy for who did.

Sirius looked at Peter who nodded and the group dispersed; Cassie disappearing under James' invisibility cloak. James positioned himself at the front of the Hufflepuff table while Remus and Sirius did the same for Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Cassie crouched at the front of the Slytherin table still invisible. Peter kept his eyes on the back of the hall.

'Yes, yes,' the headmaster said amusingly. 'The points are thus: In fourth place, Ravenclaw, with three hundred and fifty-two points. In third place, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and eighty-seven points. In second place, Slytherin, with four hundred and twenty two points. And finally, Gryffindor, with four hundred and sixty wins the house cup!'

The deafening roar was nothing compared to the other sudden happenings all over the Great Hall. Five simultaneous spells were shouted with various results. Peter's set off fireworks in the back which spelt out: Gryffindor Wins! The other four stood up and sent their spells down the tables. The Hufflepuff table erupted in gold and black, Ravenclaw in blue and bronze and Gryffindor in red and gold. The Slytherin table however was clad in the colours of all other three houses. All Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors laughed in equal delight at their attire and the Slytherin's. The Slytherins however looked at themselves in disgust and tried, in vain, to change themselves back. A banner unfolded at the front above the head table that read:

The marauders wish you a happy and mischievous summer!

From:

Mssrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs

The marauders stood at the front and bowed to the school which only made them laugh harder. Even Dumbledore laughed and James could have sworn he saw McGonagall give a small smile. Cassie then threw off the cloak and shouted cheerfully, 'Sorry, guys looks like I screwed it up.' The marauders laughed as Cassie bowed to the school and the words 'plus Cassie' appeared on the banner.