I'm having a mild case of writer's block, so this is a pretty short chapter. I figured I would update with what I have so far. Please review.

Sirius Black stopped in front of a portrait of a fruit bowl and gently tickled the pear. When the portrait swung open, he climbed through the hole to join his awaiting friends.

"That was brilliant! I could smell the Dungbombs from halfway across the castle," he jubilantly congratulated his friends. Sirius sat down on the kitchen floor next to Peter, who was grinning proudly because of his part in the prank. James and Remus were lounging by the fire, drinking from a large bottle of Firewhiskey. Well, James was drinking. Remus was half-heartedly telling his friend off.

"What if Lily came in here doing, um, kitchen inspection?" Remus pointed out. "You know she would tell McGonagall, and then you'd be stuck in detention on your last day of school."

"Nonsense, Moony!" James drunkenly argued. "I would just use my charm and good looks on her, and she'd let me go." His friends laughed at him, and Remus tried without success to take the bottle of Firewhiskey away.

"Mate, who do you mean would fall for your charm, Lily or McGonagall?" Sirius asked James. "Because I think you would have an easier time of seducing the professor than our dear Head Girl." This earned another roar of laughter from Peter and Remus.

"Speaking of Lily," he continued, "I have something hilarious to tell you. When I was coming here from the Astronomy Tower, I saw Filch dragging her to Professor Dumbledore's office. It seems while Evans was wandering the castle, she got herself in trouble for our prank!" Sirius looked expectantly at his friends, but this time Peter was the only one laughing. Remus had guiltily glanced over at James, who was completely white.

"Now she'll hate me forever," James moaned. "How could you let Filch get her into trouble Padfoot?" Sirius's broad smile instantly faded into a confused frown.

"I didn't think..." he started to say. But James had already gotten to his feet and ran out of the kitchen, leaving both the Firewhiskey and his friends behind.

"Please Professor! It wasn't me. I promise I had nothing to do with it," Lily said frantically. She was sitting in front of the Headmaster's desk with Filch next to her, muttering dark things about torture methods. Behind the desk sat a pajama-clad Albus Dumbledore. Filch had insisted that she be punished immediately, even though it was only two in the morning.

"Miss Evans, what were you doing out of bed then?" Dumbledore asked pleasantly. Lily had hoped that he wouldn't ask her this, because her reason wasn't exactly compliant with school rules.

"Sir, I couldn't sleep. I decided to go on a walk by the lake."

"She's lying! I caught this filthy troublemaker at the scene of the crime!"

"Thank you for your input Argus, but I do not believe Miss Evans is a liar," Dumbledore responded to the caretaker. He waited a few moments before continuing to question Lily. "Are you aware that leaving your dorm at night is forbidden?"

"Yes sir. I know I shouldn't have broken the rules," Lily answered truthfully.

"And do you have any suspicions as to who set off the Dungbombs in Mr. Filch's office? While you were wandering the castle, did you run into anyone?"

"I-" Lily paused for a moment, shifting uneasily in her chair. When she continued, even she was surprised by what she said. "I didn't see anyone, sir." Why hadn't she blamed Black, Potter, Lupin, and Pettigrew? She was positive they had done it, and yet she hadn't gotten them into trouble. What had stopped her?

"Headmaster, this girl is ruined my office! I want her expelled!" Obviously Filch didn't like the way the discussion was heading.

"The only thing she is guilty of is a midnight walk, and that is not punishable with expulsion. I have already told you that I do not blame your office on her," Dumbledore replied with considerably less patience. He sighed and popped a piece of taffy into his mouth. Lily was in the middle of wondering why he kept Muggle sweets in his office when he offered her one.

"Um, no thank you Professor. May I go back to bed now?"

"Well Miss Evans," the Headmaster began when suddenly the office door was flung open. A frantic James Potter entered unannounced, gasping for breath.

"It wasn't Lily, Professor. I did it. Don't blame her!"