((Sorry this one is so short everyone! I was really busy this week but didn't want to miss the deadline uwu' I promised one chapter per week after all))

The next morning started considerably less smooth than James had been hoping. When the three awoke, Remus was gone with a note left on his bed stating.

'Gone to see Dumbledore, will meet you in Potions.'

There would have been no problem with this, if they actually listened to him long enough the previous night to be told where Potions was. That was how they found themselves running up and down and all around, through great corridors and staircases until the found themselves completely lost. Still, for whatever reason they decided the best idea would be to keep going and hope they didn't bump into any teachers, James at the front, Sirius on his heels and Peter bringing up the rear, carrying their bags. He had offered after all.

"I give up, we're never going to find it." Sirius panted.

Stopping abruptly, James looked around for any form of inspiration then scratched the back of his neck with a sigh. "Yeah… we're dead, not even turning up for our first class." He said, shaking his head and looking over his shoulder with a slight nod to Peter as he finally caught up.

"So, do you know… where… where..." The short boy managed through gasps for air.

"Nope."

"No idea."

"….Oh." With a light nod, Peter sank to the ground and buried his face in his hands. "What are we going to do?! I don't want to get in trouble!"

"Calm down, we're going to be fine. They can't give us a detention on our first day." Sirius said incredulously, rolling his eyes.

"Actually, Mr Black. I think you'll find we can."

Peter shot to his feet while Sirius and James both whipped around only to come face to face with… McGonagall.

"Is there a reason you three are not in your classroom?" She said, arching an eyebrow and folding her arms whilst awaiting a response.

"We couldn't find it." James blurted out, looking over his shoulder to see Peter trembling and Sirius grimacing at him.

"Ah, well perhaps in future you'll learn to pay more attention." She said, turning and starting off down the hallway. "Follow me, am I correct in assuming you have Potions with Professor Slughorn this period?" There were two mumbled responses and one squeak of terror in reply as she led the way down to the dungeons.

It was dark, chilly and possibly one of the creepiest learning environments imaginable.

"Professor, these three are supposed to be with you I believe?" McGonagall announced upon sweeping into the room, causing everyone to stop what they were doing and turn to stare at the boys.

"Aha!" The bald, impossibly large man standing at the front of the room beamed and ushered them inside. "Found wandering the halls? I would expect more from some of my students but you aren't in my house so I don't suppose it's anything for me to worry about." Laughing loudly, he shooed the head of Gryffindor from his classroom then rested his hands on his rather large stomach as he looked at the three. "Now then, where to place you." Stroking his chin… or rather, chins, he scoured the room for inspiration before his eyes fell on two students standing on the far side of the room.

"Ah! Yes, Snape and Evans. You both seem quite capable, so… Potter, you go with Evans. Pettigrew, you go with Snape and Black…. Yes, well, you can join Lupin and Lynch and work in a three for the time being. Off you trot!"

"Good luck mate." Sirius winked, nudging James in the ribs with his elbow then sidling off to join Remus and Avery.

After a moment spent hesitating, he reached a hand up to ruffle his hair then made his way over to stand next to her. "Hey." It was a good start, this was progress.

"Hello." She replied, not even looking up. It was immediately apparent that she was far too busy with whatever they were supposed to be making to pay him any mind. "Could you grab the Dried Nettles for me?"

"Sure." He nodded and reached over, handing them to her.

"Thank you." Once seemingly satisfied, she smiled with satisfaction then looked up at him. Upon recognition, her face fell considerably. "You're that idiot who was being horrible to Severus on the train, aren't you?"

"Idiot? Me? Never! And I wouldn't be horrible to Snivelly, I mean Severus."

"Very funny, just step off and leave him alone alright?" She said, folding her arms and glaring up at him fiercely.

"Why should I? Give me a bribe Evans." He smirked, leaning on the table top and very nearly knocking their potion over.

"Because it isn't right to bully people? What was your name again… he mentioned it I'm sure." After a second of concentrated thought she clicked her fingers. "Potter, right then Potter you better back off or I'll take it to Dumbledore."

"Why are you making such a big deal out of it? It was just a little name calling."

"And you made fun of him saying I was his girlfriend." She pointed out.

"Oh, you aren't?" He mocked surprise. "Then does that mean you're available?"

"No way!"

"Oh come on.."

"Miss Evans, Mr Potter. I hope you're doing the work I assigned?" Slughorn called from the front of the class, causing a large number of the Slytherin pupils to snicker.

"Yes Professor!" Lily said instantly, turning to smile at their teacher before rounding on James again. "Just don't bother Severus anymore and we'll be fine."

"No can do."

"You're awful." With that said, she gritted her teeth and turned back to what they were supposed to be doing, purposefully ignoring him for the remainder of the period.

Upon its end, he sighed and brushed past his friends on the way out.

"How did it go?" Sirius called, waggling his eyebrows.

"I don't want to talk about it." James muttered, making a beeline for his next class and leaving his friends to snicker behind him.