Thank you for the reviews! To Bagginsthename, I was pretty certain it was lay, but I could be wrong! Also, thank you WeasleySeeker and DobbyHasMySocks, and to people who are following/favorited!

Albus Dumbledore commanded the attention of everyone in hall, as he stood high on his podium.

"Another year," he said, with a strange twinkle in his blue eyes. "And for some, their last."

The Marauders shared a glance.

"I would like to remind all students, of the ever growing presence of Lord Voldemort." He was stern, matter of fact, and very serious. "His attacks are being covered up, through out the Muggle World., and his attacks on the Muggle Born wizards, are increasing by the day."

Remus made eye contact with James, who glanced at Lily.

"As students leave Hogwarts, they are asked to make a choice," he said. You could hear a pin drop. "Voldemort can be persuasive. The ill-hearted can be captured easily." He looked over the Great Hall, filled with children in black robes, all curious, all worried. "But do not give up hope. The greatest of friends, and the greatest of heroes, come in the darkest of times." His crooked smile was reassuring, though the hall was still uneasy.

"That is all I have to say, for, alas, I seem to have lost Mr. Filch's list of banned items." There was a collective laugh. "Prefects, if you will show your student to their dormitories." He paused, and in a warm voice, he finished. "And, for everyone new, welcome to Hogwarts." The professors lead the audience in a round of applause.

The Marauders sat in silence for a few moments.

"Well," Sirius said. "I suppose he's right."

"Like always," muttered Remus.

James leaned forward. "The Order of the Phoenix is fairly strong, right?" he said in a hushed voice.

Sirius stood from his beach, "Always looking for new recruits."

"We might join, might we?" Peter asked. Since the Marauders weren't sure, it was followed by silence.

"Potter!" James's head turned to a familiar voice, down the hall. "We have a patrol!"

"Well, gentlemen," James winked. "The damsel awaits."


"I don't remember," James said warily, "Having to do night patrols being part of the deal."

It was a different experience, Hogwarts at night. The people in the paintings gently rose and fell in slumber. All sorts of strange creaks and moans came from the stairs and suits of armor. James had never seen it without the veil of the Invisible Cloak over him. The only permitted light was a soft glow from the floating candles.

The light looked absolutely marvelous on Lily.

"Well," Lily said, grudgingly, "The school is on high alert. Dumbledore's orders." She looked around, nervously, wringing her hands together in cold. "You can never be too safe."

James stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I guess."

They walked through the halls, making there way to every common room's entrance, in an awkward silence.

Damn it, Potter! He though to himself. You're finally alone with Evans and a damned cat's got your tongue! Use some of your damn Gryffindor courage!

"So, Evans," he started, as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "How was your holiday?" Her holiday? She won't want to tell me about her bloody holiday!

She lifted one questioning eyebrow. James Potter, starting a civil conversation?

"My holiday?" She asked, reproachfully. He nodded. "Nothing out of the ordinary. My sister introduced us to her boyfriend, Vernon. He's about as Muggle as one can get."

Think of something funny to say, come on!

"Sounds like a fun guy," he joked. Sounds like a fun guy? Is that the best you can do?

Lily smirked. "If a fun guy collects wrist watches and shoe tassels, then yes." James snorted. They fell back into silence.

How the hell do you except to charm her, if you can't keep up one damned conversation?

"How was your holiday?" Lily asked, politely.

James cleared his throat. "Fine – er – We sort of adopted Sirius. His parents threw him out of their Manor. You know the Black's, I'm sure. Obsessed with bloodline and dominance. I swear, Sirius was switched at birth."

Lily nodded. "I wondered about them. Black didn't seem to fit into their family."

James was a little surprised. "You saw something decent in Padfoot?"

Lily's smile was small. "There's something decent in most people. He seems to be loyal, brave. And he could always cheer Remus up. Remus talked about you all a lot in our prefect patrols."

Remus is friends with Evans. Some chord of jealousy rang through him. They way she called him Remus instead of Lupin. Her soft eyes when she mentioned him.

"Speaking of friends," James ruffled his hair, now a nervous habit. "Padfoot is very interested in our new Adelaide."

Lily frowned. She spun on her heels around to face James, hands on her hips. "Adelaide is a very sweet girl. She's been through a lot, and Black is not going to use her, understand?"

James raised his hands up in defense. "I'm not looking for a fight, Evans, I was just saying."

Lily flicked her hair back. "She doesn't get that Black goes through girlfriends yet, she doesn't know. And she most certainly won't be hurt again." She turned back around, and stared walking, arms crossed, as they passed Hufflepuff's entrance. James followed her.

"Besides," Lily said, more quietly now. "I think she sees something in Remus."

James was taken aback. "In Moony? Are you being serious?"

Lily shrugged. "She asked me about him quite a bit."

James grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him. "What did you say?" He said, eagerly. His eyes were alight in excitement. "About Moony, what did you say?"

Lily's eyes narrowed. "Aren't you worried about Black?"

James shook his head. "You don't understand, Moony needs a girl. This would be a huge step for him!" His crooked smile was infectious. "Besides, Padfoot could get any girl he wanted."

Lily shook her head, confused. "You're all like brothers, aren't you?" James nodded eagerly.

"Well," Lily started, slowly. "I'll tell you if you let go of me, first."

James looked at his hands, which were still firmly placed on her shoulders. He immediately dropped them. "Sorry."

"Yeah," Lily nodded. "I told her Remus was the most responsible out of you four, probably the most kind too."

James kept his face impassive, though that last part hurt a little.

"I told her Remus is sweet, and he deserves a girl like her. He's funny, though at times, a little sad. He hardly ever gets angry, and when he does, it's short lasted. He has a bright future, and he loves to be around children. I told her she could be the best thing that happened to him. She could make his world." Lily finished, with a sigh. "Remus does need a girl like her."

James was surprised at all she said. "You saw all that in Moony? I didn't know you were so close." Almost too close. I'll have to have a talk with him.

"When I found out that he was a werewolf, he couldn't really help it." She said, matter-of-factly, as she started to walk again.

James gasped, and looked around, quickly. "You know about his furry problem?" He whispered.

Lily laughed, a light, tinkling laugh that reminded James of bells. "His furry problem? I guess so, yes."

"He didn't tell you, did he?"

Lily shook her head. "No."

"So how do you know?"

Lily smirked up at James. "I'm observant, Potter." His own words echoed in his ears.

"Yeah, I beat." He stuck his hands in his pockets. "You know, most people couldn't find all that in Moony, him being so quiet."

Lily shrugged. "I guess."

James gazed down at Lily, amazed. "You're incredible, Evans." He shook his head in disbelief.

Lily huffed, tossed her hair back, and started walking a little faster. James quickened his pace as well.

No one with the name Vernon can be fun, James thought, mentally slapping himself. That's what I should've said.

They finished the patrol in a more comfortable silence.

Yeah, so, I love the character of Remus Lupin, though, if I had to choose, I'd be romantically involved with James :3

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