Disclaimer: I just own plot and the occasional personality. JK Rowling owns the rest, lucky girl.


Oh, you're so enchanting
When your mouth is closed.
And with a mouth like that
Who needs politics and prose?
Now I'm staring into those vacant eyes
Trying to figure out if you've
Understood a single word that I've said.
Is there anything going on in that pretty little head?
Cause if you're just drop dead gorgeous,
You should just drop dead.
-Drop Dead Gorgeous (April Smith and the Great Picture Show)


Second year was an interesting year. It was the year of obsessions, of deeper friendships and, of course, of more spells thrown in the hallways.

(**************)

"Bye, Mum," Lily whispered, determined not to cry. She was, after all, twelve years old—practically a grown up.

"I love you," Rose said, also determined not to cry. With one more squeeze, she let her youngest go. "Write me as much as you can. Don't forget to eat, and make sure you brush your teeth. Oh! Don't go jinxing anyone unnecessarily, don't drink anything you make in Potions unless the professor explicitly says you can, and—"

"Darling, Lily has to get onto the train. Preferably before it leaves," Harold said, tugging on his wife's arm and smiling down at Lily. "She's a big girl. I'm sure that she'll be fine."

Lily shot a grateful look at her father and gathered her belongings. Her mother handed her Tumnus, the owl Lily had received when she was accepted into Hogwarts, and gave her one last squeeze. "Do enjoy yourself, dear."

"I will, Mum. Give Petunia my love!" And the redhead climbed aboard the train, waving goodbye to her parents and very much ready to start the school year. Dragging her trunk behind her and awkwardly maneuvering through the narrow corridors, she didn't notice the person ahead of her before it was too late.

"Ouch!" James cried, rubbing his elbow. "Watch where you're going, why don't you. It's the least you can do since you're taking up the whole walkway."

"I would walk faster if you could stay out of my way," said Lily, really not in the mood to deal with him.

"Pardon me for walking."

"You're excused."

"That was sarcasm, Evans."

"I noticed and returned in kind, Potter." Lily tilted her head to one side. "Or are you too dull to recognize it?"

James flushed and shook his head. "You are impossible."

"Ooh, fancy words. I'm impressed."

"What is taking you so long?" Sirius asked, poking his head out of the compartment. He focused on Lily. "Oh. That's why."

"Well, hello to you too, Black."

"You're just a little ball of wit today, aren't you?" James demanded, sticking his hands in his pockets and glaring.

"So what if I am?" she said, straightening. "Now, if you would kindly move aside so I can get by…"

With a mocking bow, James did as asked. She marched past, not bothering to care about their scornful looks.

"Say 'hi' to Snivellus for me!" Sirius called after her. He fancied he could see steam come out of her ears.

Finally finding the compartment that Severus had claimed, she slammed the door and leaned against it. "Ooh, those boys!"

Sev looked at her reproachfully. "Black and Potter again? Gits."

"Yeah, they accosted me in the hallways," she answered. Severus' mouth was pressed into a firm line, and his grip on his wand tightened. "Don't worry; I'll get them back later. We'll see who's laughing after the first Charms essay," she said, a smug smile on her lips. Severus seemed to relax, and he leaned back in his seat.

"I hope we have Potions together again," he said.

"Me, too."

(**************)

"Black, Regulus!" McGonagall called, and a small boy walked up to the Sorting Hat. James turned to Sirius who had gone oddly quiet at his side.

"A relative of yours?" he whispered. Sirius wore a far-off look.

"You could say that."

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Nice to see he's carrying on the family tradition," said Sirius, shrugging. He was hiding something. James studied him, wondering what was wrong.

"Is he your cousin?"

"Brother."

"I thought you said you couldn't be bothered with siblings."

"And he," Sirius nodded to the boy that looked so much like him, "is the reason why." James decided to drop the subject.

"How was your summer, mate?"

"Boring. I laid in my bed most days reading Quidditch Through the Ages."

"You? Reading during the summer? What has the world come to?" James marveled, adopting a look of surprise and placing a hand over his heart.

"Hardy har har," Sirius sneered. "As if you did anything better."

"I actually played Quidditch, thank you very much."

"Big-shot."

"Lazy bum." James returned Sirius' smack with one of his own. Sirius winced and rubbed his shoulder.

"That was harsh."

"You started it."

"You didn't have to retaliate harder. That was just mean," whined Sirius, pouting. James smacked him again for good measure.

"Stop it with the puppy dog eyes. They don't work on me."

"Git."

(**************)

"Whoever thought that it would be a good idea to mix hormones and magic was obviously not thinking," Alice muttered to her friend.

Lily nodded, textbook at the ready to deflect any spell heading her way. It was known to happen that a jinx intended for a certain Severus Snape could hit her instead. James and Sirius always said it was accidental, but Lily had decided to not trust either one. Ever.

"Why are you friends with him?" Alice asked after she caught Lily giving a smile to Severus. Lily shrugged.

"I just am. He's really nice. Why?"

"Nothing." Alice shook her head. Lily could tell that she wanted to say more, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to hear it. "So did you have a good summer?"

"Not really. My sister doesn't like me so much."

"Ah." Alice didn't have that problem. Her family had four girls. Alice was the oldest, and though they didn't always get along, they were still sisters, after all. "I'm sorry. That must be annoying."

"It is." Lily turned away. "Listen, I've got to get to class. It was nice talking to you though."

"Likewise. What do you have next?"

"Transfiguration." Lily pulled a face.

"Ah. Have fun!"

"As if watching Potter show off could be fun," Lily muttered, waving as she walked away.

(**************)

Sirius Black hated to be anything like his father, Orion Black, a pure-blood Muggle-hating, Voldemort-loving man that played Beater in his Hogwarts years. So when Quidditch season rolled around, Sirius was as far away from the pitch as he could get.

James Potter loved to be everything like his father, Edmund Potter, a pure-blood Ministry official, family-loving man that played Keeper in his Hogwarts years. So when Quidditch season rolled around, James was the first one on the pitch, clutching his broomstick eagerly.

(**************)

"Let's get this started," he said, shifting his weight impatiently. Peter smiled weakly, a faint sheen of sweat shining on his forehead. He bit his lip and twisted his hand on his broomstick before he spoke.

"Yeah, I know." Despite his attempt to sound confident, it fell flat. James gave him a big grin.

"That's the spirit, Pete."

A light-haired seventh year blew her whistle. She was quickly surrounded by eager players. "My name is Amy Campbell, and I'm the Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. I play Keeper, Kingsley plays Beater, Julie plays Seeker, and Louis plays Chaser. We're looking for two Chasers and a Beater today who can stay on and handle the ball well. Everyone, on your brooms!"

They all did as asked and, after dismissing some first years who had snuck on, Amy led them around the field.

James gave a small squirm of excitement at the feel of wind in his hair; he loved being on a broom. It was a shame Keeper—his father's position—was taken. But he would be happy with anything.

"All right, Chasers line up!" Amy called, hovering near the goalposts. "Grab a Quaffle and take the shot."

James fell in behind a tall girl. She wore a focused expression and was vaguely familiar.

"Hey," he said as he watched a fifth year clumsily throw the ball into the goalpost. It was easily stopped by Amy, who threw it back with a smile.

"My name is James."

"Marlene," the second year next to him said curtly. He studied her for a moment, supposing that Marlene wasn't one to talk much. That was fine; he could talk enough for the both of them.

The slight fourth year boy went next. He did pretty well; James was impressed. The boy looked as if he could be blown over by a stiff wind.

"Next!" Amy called, and Marlene shook her head once.

"Good luck!" James said. She nodded at him, sped to the goalpost and sunk a shot straight past Amy. "Wow," he breathed. She was good. Fluid, quick, and absorbed in the game. Just what a Chaser was supposed to be.

His turn now. He took in a big gulp of air and shifted forward on his broom. It followed his command, and he hurtled towards Amy and the goals, the Quaffle tucked securely under his arm. It gracefully spiraled in, missing the Keeper's fingers by inches, and was caught by Louis on the other side.

"Next!"

"Nice one, James," Kingsley said, coming up beside him and smiling widely. James smiled back.

"Is your sister trying out today?"

"No, she's not much of a Quidditch player. Says her favorite sport's chess, but I keep telling her that's not a sport. Where's Sirius?"

"He doesn't play either, though he can't claim chess as a pastime. He prefers to procrastinate in front of the fire instead."

Kingsley chuckled. "Sounds like Black then. I see Peter's here though," he said, eyeing the mousy boy. Peter dropped the ball halfway to the net and was bright red as he circled back to try again. "He doesn't look so good."

"He's just nervous. I don't blame him; I was, too."

"The great James Potter, nervous? I don't believe it. Call the Daily Prophet!"

"It's been known to happen. Not often, but sometimes," James acknowledged, bumping his broomstick into Kingsley's. Kingsley chuckled again and retaliated.

A shriek filled the air, and the two boys turned to watch a girl lose control of her boom and go plummeting down. She tumbled off at the last second, unhurt but very frightened. As soon as her feet hit the ground, she propped herself up and vomited.

"Messy sport, Quidditch," Kingsley commented.

"Quite. Can't say that about chess."

"You haven't seen my sister play. She's out for blood."

"Lovely."

At the end of tryouts, James and Marlene were the two new Chasers. Unsurprisingly, Peter had gotten nothing but a trip to the Hospital Wing. Most everyone was happy.

(**************)

Though she never would admit it to anyone, second year was the year Lily harbored a very small, very secret crush on a certain James Potter. That was why she was so mean to him all the time. But she couldn't let anyone know, Severus most of all. He would never forgive her.

As far as James was concerned, girls still had cooties. The worst days in class were the ones when he had to work with anyone of the opposite gender. Know-it-alls.

(**************)

James scowled at Remus, who was sitting at a table with the annoying redhead. They were chuckling together and talking and having a good time. The girl sat up after a moment and checked the stack of books perched on the table next to her. Frowning, she ran her fingers down the spines and abruptly stood and walked away.

"Come on, Sirius. She's gone," he muttered to his cohort, and he also stood. Sirius slid into the seat Lily had just abandoned, and James leaned on the table across from Remus.

"What are you doing?" Sirius demanded

Remus raised an eyebrow, an impressive trait for a twelve-year-old. "What do you mean?" he asked, glancing from one boy to the other.

"What are you doing with that Evans girl?"

"Studying, why?"

"You looked pretty close. Laughing and smiling and whatnot. Why?" James' gaze bored into Remus', but he did not flinch.

"She's nice. Can't I have fun with my friends?"

"Well, sure. But Evans?"

"She's nice."

"Remus," James hissed. "We don't like her." Both of Remus' eyebrows shot up, and a small half-smirk played on his lips.

"But I do. She's my friend. Leave us alone now. Please."

"What is your problem?" The afore-mentioned Evans asked, slamming a book on the table. They both jumped.

"Nothing," Sirius muttered, shifting his weight. She raised an eyebrow at the two. "Then why are you harassing Remus?"

James lifted his chin defiantly. "Well, it's none of your business," he said, feeling quite pleased with himself. Lily flushed, and she began to plait a piece of hair.

"It's my business if you're standing at my table, stopping my partner and me from studying!"

"Is everything about you?"

"Of course not."

"Why do you make it then?"

"James," Remus said in a low voice.

James heard the warning. It was a lame argument, but he was too angry at her for stealing Remus to care. Lily snorted disapprovingly.

"Go away if you're just going to insult me. I have better things to do," she said, shooing her hands at them. They left, but not without sending a withering glare at Remus over their shoulder. And that is when her crush evaporated into hatred.

(**************)

"Where do you think he goes?" Severus asked, eying Lupin's empty chair. Lily was bent over her cauldron, getting annoyed at the fringe in her eyes.

"Hm? Oh, Remus? Haven't the foggiest. Sev, do you think this potion looks too pink?" She frowned at the suspiciously rose-ish substance. It was supposed to be peach, not rose. Rose was bad.

"Honestly, why is he always missing? He can't be sick all the time, nor can his mother. Can she?"

"Why do you care, Sev? You're the one that hates Remus and his obnoxious friends. Don't let it bother you."

"Yeah, but you're friends with him."

"So it's my problem and not yours. And I'm choosing to not make it a problem because as you said, he's my friend."

"I don't know what you see in him," Severus said scornfully.

"Aw, he's not all bad, Sev," Lily protested, already knowing where this was going but too exasperated to care.

"But he's mates with James Potter and Sirius Black. That has to say something bad about his character."

"Severus, I will not have you saying bad things about my friends. Yes, Potter and Black are annoying prats, but Remus is not. Please, leave it alone. Now. What should we do about this potion?" It was definitely a rose color now, and Lily was frustrated. Severus studied it as well.

"It does look too pink," he admitted, tapping an ink-stained finger on his chin. "Maybe if we add some essence of wormwood, that could help."

"Or it could kill us," muttered Lily, but she did as he said and dripped three drops in. The liquid immediately turned the color it was supposed to be and started steaming gently. "That's it!" Lily said happily, beaming at Severus. He smiled back.

"Ah, the Delightful Duo!" Slughorn announced, sweeping up in front of their table. Severus winced at the moniker and glanced back to where the Slytherins sat. They had heard. Of course they had heard. But Lily pretended not to notice and instead babbled on to the professor.

"It looked like it was too pink, so we added some—what was it? Oh, yes—we added wormwood. Three drops," she trilled quite anxiously. Slughorn bent over the pot and took a deep breath.

"Well, Miss Evans and Mr. Snape," he boomed. "It smells fine, but let's try it on something, shall we?" He poured a small spoonful on a plant. The plant shuddered, and one by one, small pustules emerged. "Perfect," Slughorn declared, beaming at his two favorite students. "Absolutely outstanding."

"Thank you, Professor!" Lily said, glowing from pride and the vapors of the room. Severus gave him a smile as well, looking very proud. "We did it, Sev!" Lily whispered to him. Hearing a snort behind her, she whirled around until she found the culprit.

"Please," Sirius grunted. "It's not the first potion you've ever done and not the hardest either. You don't need to be so happy about it."

"You're just upset because your potion is blue," Lily shot back scornfully. Sirius flushed and glanced away to the boy next to him. She turned back to the front of her seat, back straight and eyes glinting.

Two minutes later, the classroom was evacuated because of a foul smell. Though no words were said to the professor, Sirius and James looked very smug with themselves as they hastily stowed away the wrappings of a Dungbomb.

(**************)

James reached out and grabbed Remus by the arm, pulling him into the abandoned classroom. Remus barely had time to say anything when he was confronted with James, Peter and Sirius.

"What are you guys doing? Is this going to be another major prank we're pulling?" he asked, shaking his head.

James paused for a moment. "Actually, yes. We were thinking about doing something spectacular. But that's not the point!"

"Then what is?"

"Yeah, I was wondering that too, mate," Sirius spoke up. James glared at them both, but they both just grinned.

"Well, if you would let me talk, I could tell you!"

"Go ahead then. No one's stopping you." Sirius folded his arms, a smug smile on his face. James sighed. His friends were impossible.

"We know you're a werewolf," he said bluntly. Remus blanched and froze for a second.

"Um, what did you say?"

"We know you're a werewolf. Y'know, creature that changes at the full moon, howls occasionally, that kind of stuff."

"No, no, no," Remus said, shaking his head furiously. "I'm not a werewolf. You guys have it all wrong. That's not right."

James frowned. "I'm pretty sure I'm right." Remus continued to deny it, but it only served to rile James up more. "You disappear every month around the full moon and come back absolutely mangled. And don't give me that load of dung about visiting your mum or being sick all the time. No one is that sick! Ever! And you always 'happen' to injure yourself during these trips. You can't fool us, mate." He locked eyes with Remus who realized that James would never give up. They stared at each other for a long time, James determined and Remus defiant.

"Fine," he croaked. "You win; you're right."

"I knew it!" James crowed, whirling around to give Sirius a high five. "I knew it!" Remus frowned.

"Well, aren't you going to go run off to Dumbledore and ask that the werewolf problem be 'taken care of'? I'll just go pack my bags right now. I knew this was a bad idea," he said, getting progressively quieter as he spoke. James turned around again.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you want me to leave?"

"No, impossible. You're one of my best mates. Why would I?" James frowned as well, crossing his arms and surveying Remus.

"I'm a werewolf. A dangerous creature that changes into something every month and everyone hates."

"Remus, the only dangerous creature in this room is Peter when he doesn't get his breakfast," Sirius said, winking at Peter. "And werewolves are cool. Like, you're the coolest thing ever."

The corners of Remus' mouth twitched upwards, and he glanced up from his hands. "You really think so?"

"Of course," Peter said, his watery eyes crinkling as he smiled.

"We wouldn't lie to you, Remus," James said quietly, knowing that he needed the affirmation as much as the sandy-haired boy did. "But we might have to start calling you 'Moony'."

Remus gave a small laugh. "Moony, huh? I can deal with that."

So the first of the Marauders was named.

(**************)

Lily patted the back of her sobbing roommate. "It's okay, Mary. It's okay," she murmured to the blonde. "What happened?"

"Avery hit her with a Bat Bogey Hex right after lunch," Marlene answered, as Mary's head was buried in her pillow. "It was payback for the snarky comment she made to him in Defense."

"What comment?"

"Ask Avery."

Knowing she would not get much more out of Marlene, she focused again on her roommate. "Mary, come on. Sit up and we'll get you to Madam Pomfrey."

"I don't want to go to the Hospital Wing. I just want to sit here," she whimpered. Lily caught bits and pieces and exchanged a look with Emmeline.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

Lily hesitated for a second but decided that Mary would be best left alone. She patted her once more and crept out of the room with Emmeline at her side.

"Sometimes," Emmeline said in a hollow voice, "I really hate Slytherins."

"Aren't some of your family Slytherins?" Lily frowned and turned to look at her best friend.

"That doesn't help the case at all. I have some pretty awful family members."

"Don't we all?" Lily added gloomily. Emmeline smiled at this and nudged Lily with her shoulder.

"Hey, this means that we're each other's family. That's not so bad, is it?"

"I guess not."

Emmeline could see that this upset Lily, and though she didn't know why, she still felt responsible.

"Did you read the Muggle Studies homework?"

"Yeah."

"Do Muggles really have boxes that play images? I mean, is the teacher serious?" Lily seemed to lose some of the disheartening mood she was in. With a slight giggle, she nodded.

"He's serious. They're called televisions and—"

"What did you say?" a grubby Sirius asked, planting himself in front of them. "Did you have a question for me?"

Emmeline and Lily looked at each other, bewildered. "No." Lily said slowly, thinking back. "We were talking about Muggle Studies."

Sirius frowned and muttered something that sounded like 'girls' under his breath. "I could have sworn I heard my name."

The look of confusion fell off of Emmeline's face and was replaced with one of glee. "Sirius, I asked if the teacher was being serious, as in not joking. That's probably what you heard."

"Oh." His cheeks took on the faintest hint of pink, and he fiddled with his book bag. "I'll just be going, then." And he slunk away to where an amused Remus, Peter, and James sat by the fire.

"Idiot," Emmeline chortled, watching him as one would watch an annoying but cute dog. "So what do you watch on them, what do call it, melevisions?"

"Televisions. And they have programs that we watch. There's all sorts. Dramas and comedies. It's all good fun."

"And you just sit there and stare at the box? That doesn't sound interesting."

"You'd be surprised."

"Muggles are so weird."

"Well, so are wizards." Lily smiled at Emmeline's disgruntled face. "Any other confusing technology you wish to ask me about?"

"I'm tired of school. Let's just crash and chat with each other, yeah? We could have some pumpkin juice while we're at it. I know where I can get some."

"Sounds good."

"Go save the chairs," Emmeline ordered, making her way to the portrait-hole. Lily sat on one of the squashy armchairs and propped her feet onto the other. She watched Alice and Cass enter the room, giggling quietly. Spotting her, they made a beeline towards the corner and plopped down across from her.

"Ouch! You guys are sitting on my feet!"

"Serves you right." Cass smirked, wiggling her bony self so that Lily was even more in pain. "Merlin, you're uncomfortable to sit on."

"Extremely." Alice agreed, making a face. "We should chop your ankles off—they're very pointy."

"Excuse me, but you two were the ones that sat on me! So either get off or be subjected to my pointy legs."

"The abuse we take from her," Alice said as she heaved a sigh and pushed herself off the chair. Cass followed, shaking her head mournfully.

"I don't know why we even bother." The pitiful look on her face made Lily laugh, her head lounging against the headrest lazily.

"I like Friday evenings," she decided as she glanced between her two friends. Cass stopped her absentminded humming and glanced up at the redhead.

"So do I. What prompted this outburst of affection?"

"Thoughtfulness. And the fact that I finished my homework already." She grinned, knowing Cass and Alice had an essay due on Monday.

"Don't rub it in," Alice said sourly, fiddling with a piece of her brown hair. "In fact, let's not talk about school at all. I was thinking about dyeing my hair blonde. What do you think?"

Cass was spared from answering by a slightly breathless Emmeline. She handed everyone a cup of pumpkin juice and sighed.

"What took you so long?"

"I was distracted." Emmeline wouldn't meet Lily's eyes.

"By?" Lily asked warily. Emmeline blew out air through her cheeks and wrinkled her nose. Diversionary tactics and the like.

"Only Avery."

"No you didn't! You did not take revenge on him."

"I cannot tell a lie, Lily," Emmeline said with a quirk of her lips and a raise of her glass. "Let's just say he's significantly bluer than he was before."

"Did you choke him?"

"Emmeline, why?" Lily asked, crossing her arms and ignoring Cass. Emmeline shrugged again, and a curious glint crept into her gaze.

"Because. Just leave it at that, please. Just because."

Lily wonderingly dropped the subject, but Emmeline was distracted the rest of the night. She wouldn't respond to questions and refused to meet anyone's eye.

When she saw Avery later, he not only was blue but had a slightly larger head. Marlene looked very pleased with herself.

"What he deserves. He needed a big head," Lily heard her mutter at the table.

Smiling into her bread and butter, Lily pitied any person on the wrong end of her friends' vengeance.


A/N: Third year will be up as soon as possible. :)

Reviews would give me joy on New Year's Day!