My lord it's difficult to come up with pranks for these four. I decided to give you all a realllyyyy late Christmas present. So, here it is, I don't own Harry Potter, yada yada. This is Diagon alley and first of second year. And for my reference, it's 1972.
Diagon Alley James POV
Lily was saying something as we walked to the entrance of Diagon Alley. I was too caught up watching Sirius mimic her. Said girl reached behind me, slapping Sirius across the back of the head. I turned to her, fearing for my own head.
"Now, like I was saying. Apothecary, Owl Emporium, Madame Malkins, Flourish and Blotts, Scribbulus, thennnn we can go to the Quidditch Supplies store and the joke shop." She said. She smiled at each of us. "Then ice cream at the parlor." She loved her ice cream. We nodded, having no other choice. She skipped along, dragging us three with her.
"Where would we be without Queen Lily to guide our days?" Remus asked airily. She stuck her tongue out ducked into the Apothecary. We followed suit. Luckily, shopping with Lily was easy. She got enough of everything off the shelves for each of us. All us three had to do was pay.
"Owl Emporium now!" She trotted out, shoving all her purchases into her small purse. I looked at her oddly, which she noticed. "I enlarged the inside with a charm." She explained, walking fast toward the next shop. Nyx, her barn owl, had gotten sick and died just days earlier. She didn't want to replace Nyx, but we convinced her she needed one.
"Look at this one!" She pointed to a Great Gray on display out front. I shook my head.
"Doesn't suit you, Lils." We headed inside, Sirius and Remus on our heels. Sirius stopped to looked at the Gray.
"Suits me though." He grabbed the cage, heading inside after us. We spent the next half hour pointing out different owls that one of us would shoot down for different reasons. Finally, we found the perfect one. It was a russet color withe white spots. The sales wizard walked over, looking happy,
"Oh, you've found our rare owl of the day. Cinnabar Hawk Owl." He said. Lily and he haggled over prices until they agreed and she and Sirius payed. We walked out, carrying the cages of two very happy owls. The rest of our shopping was uneventful. We got supplies. Me, Lily, and Sirius got new brooms, we were trying out for Quidditch this year. Now we sat around eating delicious ice cream.
"So what position are you trying out for? I think I'm going to try for a Seeker." Lily asked Sirius and I.
I smiled broadly. "I want to be a chaser!" I exclaimed. She laughed, nodding. Lily looked to Sirius, who seemed to be thinking.
"Beater." He said, grinning. "I get to knock in some Slytherin heads." We all laughed at that. Remus had definitely looked better. He was gaunt and bruised. It seemed like it pained him to laugh. He leaned toward us though.
"I have the perfect idea for our beginning of the year prank." He said quickly. That shut everyone up. We all looked at him in wonder. Prank was always the magic word.
"Here's how it's going to go ... "
Beginning of the Year Feast Lily POV
Remus' idea was a bold and amazing one. We'd all agreed on the spot. Here we were now, poised for the attack. I munched on a delicious creamy lamb stew, drawing my wand beneath the table. The boys did the same, pointing them toward the Slytherin table. Remus smiled.
"So four days ago, I met these three guys. They gave me two pints of butterbeer for one knut." As he got to the one, we all said our rehearsed spells, watching as the Slytherins were hit. I giggled as all their hair turned red and gold. An image of a lion eating a snake appeared over the table. The lion was watched by a badger and a raven, both appeared to be cheering. Snape stood up and began doing an Irish jig atop the table, joined by several other Slytherins.
I waited for Sirius' portion of the prank, Snape was supposed to begin roaring like a lion while doing his dance. Sirius, however, was still looking at Remus, waiting. I sighed. "Put the wand away, Siri." I said, shaking my head. "You missed the countdown."
"I did?"
"Yes, you nutter." We laughed loudly along with the rest of the school while Slughorn and McGonagall yet again teamed up to calm the Slytherins and stop the dancing. Giggles still popped up across the three tables as we all finished up our meals. I stood along with the other Gryffindors and made my way to the common room. Maybe we'd get away with our prank tonight. Or maybe McGonagall just wasn't in the punishing sort of mood. In the common room, we Marauders sat by our place next to the fire. We talked about summer and how much fun it'd been.
"Lily we're coming to your place for winter break. I want more coke and to watch more movies." Sirius exclaimed. I shook my head.
"Muppet. Don't invite yourself places, but I don't see why you can't." I said, watching as his face turned to utter delight. The boy was so easy to please. I watched in amusement as three third years walked over to us, hips twitching in a failed attempt at sexiness. I held my breath, trying not to laugh.
"Hello girls, what can we do for you?" James asked politely. However, they were breaking a well known code. You did not interrupt when the Marauders were sitting and talking by the fire. It was where we did our best prank planning. They giggled together.
"Hi. I'm Mandy. This is Nicole and Tanya." She eyed the boys. "We were wondering if you'd go out with us." Remus looked at them and shook his head, ever the polite one. James and Sirius nodded quickly. I glared at the two of them, but it was lost, as they were too busy staring at the disturbing girls. James made plans to meet Mandy for breakfast the next morning, Sirius was less tactful and pulled Tanya down into his lap. I gagged, excusing myself up to the girl's dorm.
The Day After Quidditch Tryouts ...
"Lils!"
"Lilyflower!" Two voices called in unison. I turned from my snack in the kitchen. I'd been eating red velvet cake and warm milk. I wiped my mouth off and answered.
"Yes, dear nutters?" I asked, looking amused at their disheveled appearance.
"We all made it on the team!" The said again together. I grinned widely at the news that I was Gryffindor's new Seeker. They turned.
"Stop saying what I say!" Again, together.
"Quit it!" Together.
"Lily make him stop!" I'd begun to believe they share a brain. I shoved the last half of my cake at Sirius, who dug in.
"Problem solved." I said brightly. "Now why didn't you tell the Terrible Twins that first?" I asked them, looking between the two.
"Lils, that ended a week ago." James told me. I looked shocked. I hadn't noticed? "Sirius has got a new one though." He said. I looked at him, halfway between amused and disgusted.
"Well, I'm glad for you both." I leaned in, kissing both of their cheeks. James blushed and Sirius beamed.
"We're proud of you two!" They said together, they turned. I was in for a lonngggg day.
First Match: Slytherin ...
High above the Quidditch pitch, I scanned for the Golden Snitch. The Slytherin Seeker was doing the same at the opposite end of the pitch. I grinned widely at the feeling of being high up and the wind in my fiery hair. Much of the time, I spent watching the game. We were doing quite well, and were ahead. I cheered as James scored again. He was quite the Chaser. Girls would be all over him after this match. For some reason, that didn't sit well with me. A glimpse of gold flitted by me, and I raced after it. I would win this game for the team. I would. I swooped upward and glimpsed the Slytherin Seeker following well behind me. I whooped as I felt the cool metal in my fingers. I turned back to the crowd to celebrate, but the look of horror on much of their faces made the blood drain from my face as I turned to watch the teams in the center of the pitch.
A Slytherin beater'd finally found his opening. My mouth fell open into a perfect "o" as the bludger sailed through the air. Sirius saw it and raced towards James, but was no where close enough. Neither was the other Gryffindor beater. James turned, unaware of the incoming projectile. We were close enough to hear the sickening sound of the bludger hitting his head. That was bad enough, but worse still, James eyes closed and we watched in horror as he slid from his broomstick and plummeted. A scream tore from my throat. His body was falling too fast for any of us to reach him.
Dumbledore stood from his seat, shouting some incantation. James' fall slowed, but did not stop. The sound he made as he hit the ground would be in my mind and dreams for ages. I rushed down to the pitch. Sirius was already on the ground standing over James. I dropped to my knees by his side. James was battered and bruised. Bones stuck out at odd angles. I blinked back tears as Madame Hooch looked him over, declaring needlessly that he needed to go to the hospital wing.
One of the professors, I didn't see which, levitated James up. We all followed after him, but Madame Hickey barred us from the Hospital Wing. We sat outside the doors, waiting desperately for any news of our dear friend. Alice and the other girls left. James was more my friend than theirs. I bid them goodbye and kept waiting. Finally, Madame Hickey peered out the door.
"One at a time. He can't be too excited." She warned. We nodded slowly. We were all allowed in, but the area around James' bed was curtained off. Remus and I sat on a bed near the door while Sirius went back.
"That was a good catch, Lily. You won the game for Gryffindor." Remus offered. I nodded, but couldn't smile. I was too upset, waiting for James to be okay. "There's sure to be a party. You'll be the star. You know how James loves a good party." I smiled softly.
"Yeah, he does. Hopefully Hickey will let him go before the party." Remus nodded. We sat in a friendly silence as we waited for Sirius. Finally, the black hair boy emerged from behind the curtain, clapping Remus on the shoulder.
"He wants to talk to you, mate." It stung a bit that James didn't want to talk to me, but I smiled at Sirius as he took Remus' seat. "He's awake and talking, Lils. He'll be fine." Sirius told me. I hadn't realized I was still crying.
"You're right, Siri." I murmured as I scrubbed tears from my face.
"I can't believe I wasn't there to block that bludger." Sirius blurted. I rubbed his back softly.
"No one blames you. Dawkins wasn't there to block it either. Injuries happen in Quidditch. James isn't going to care that you didn't block that bludger, all he's going to care about is whether we won or lost." I reminded him. Sirius barked a laugh. It was good to hear in the solemn atmosphere.
"Funnily enough, that was the first thing James asked me." He told me. I laughed along with him.
"Typical James."
"Yeah, speaking of, Lils, that was an amazing catch." He grinned widely. "I'm so proud of my Lilyflower." He laughed once more. "James is never going to shut up about that catch, just so you know." Remus appeared at his side.
"You're up, Lily." He said softly. I walked over to the curtains, nervous. Sliding the curtains back, I saw James sitting up in his bed. He was still bruised, but his bones were no longer broken and there were no cuts left over.
"Hey, Lils." He said weakly. I smiled at him.
"How do you feel?"
"Like I fell off a broom stick." I flushed. How could I have asked something that stupid? He grinned. "I'm messing with you Lily. I don't feel too bad, actually. Hickey said she'll even let me go soon." He exlaimed. I smiled, going to sit on the side of his bed.
"Good. You know there's going to be one hell of a party tonight in the Common Room." James lightened up even more. He always loved a good party.
"We won, that's right. Lily, that catch! I could kiss you, I'm so proud of that catch!" I flushed even deeper than I had before. He seemed to catch himself and blush too.
"Welp, better go help out the boys getting to party ready." I hopped off the bed and rushed back out. Remus, Sirius, and I filed out, talking about how to get the best stuff for the party.
James POV
I'm such an idiot. I can't believe I said that to Lily. I sighed and rested my head back against the pillow. I let myself doze.
It felt like minutes later, but must've been at least an hour, when Madame Hickey woke me up. "You can leave now, Mr. Potter." She told me. I bolted up, ready to head to that party and see my friends. She scolded me, but I barely heard as I bounded out the door and to the Common Room.
"Pumpkin Pasties." I called to the Fat Lady as I arrived. Someone had a real sweet tooth, whoever kept coming up with these passwords. I entered and was accosted by people, hugging me and cheering. The party was in full swing already. I laughed, scanning the room for my friends. Sirius was liplocked with some blonde by the fireplace. Remus was talking to Emmeline Vance. The girl fancied him, but he was so sure no one could ever like him because of his "furry little problem" that he couldn't see it. I couldn't see Lily, and that worried me. Finally the crowd broke and I saw her surrounded by quite a few guys.
"Lily!" I tried to call, but the music and voices were so loud that he couldn't hear me. Something grabbed my arm and turned me.
"Jamie!" A girl named Lysa cried. I looked at her, no one but Lily called me Jamie. I opened my mouth to tell her so. "We were all so worried about you." She told me. I sighed. My fan club. Sirius and Remus had their own too. Lysa pulled my attention back to her. "Evans is too busy with other guys, and I have a question."
"What is it, Lysa?" I asked, and cringed as she squealed.
"Oh gosh, you know my name! Anyway! Will you go out with me, Jamie?" She asked. I looked back at Lily, who was laughing with the guys and girl crowding around her. A guy touched her cheek playfully and she laughed. I turned back to Lysa.
"Only if you promise not to call me Jamie." I told her. She squealed once more and I let her pull me to dance.
Lily POV
Guys were crowding me, congratulating me and flirting with me. Some of my female friends were around too, making things more bearable. I sighed as another guy touched me in an overly friendly way. I was trying to bear with it though. The male Marauders were always getting girlfriends. It was high time Lily Evans got one. All these guys were annoying though. I laughed, annoyed, as one reached out to touch my cheek. I caught sight of James with an arm around a girl, letting her lead him to the dance floor.
For some reason, the sight annoyed me. Maybe it was the bottle of Firewhiskey I'd drank. Maybe it was something else. I acted on impulse, swinging around and grabbing the least annoying of the guys and snogging him right there.
Ohhh, drama with the Marauders? Read and review to find out what happens. The more I see my story's enjoyed, the more I want to write. If I see nothing, then I don't want to write, and this story might go on hiatus. That's the way it goes.
