Chapter 7: True Gryffindors

The next morning, as Lily descended into the Common Room, she found Remus, Peter, Sirius and James huddled together in a corner, whispering covertly. She chuckled. They might have come a long way, but nothing could take the mischief out of the Marauders. Deciding not to interrupt, she left for the Great Hall.

For a few minutes, she was alone; it was quite early after all. Then Harry came and sat next to her, looking quite pleased with himself. James usually reserved a similar expression for when he had come up with a brilliant prank.

"What are you up to?" she asked.

"You know how they have something planned for this morning?"

"Yes..."

"Well, I have a little something planned for them."

More and more people began filtering in. Right before the peak of the breakfast crowd, Sirius sauntered in, followed by Remus and Peter. James was nowhere in sight. They sat down, Sirius next to Harry, Remus and Peter across from them, staring intently at the Slytherin table.

Harry nudged Sirius. "You're being obvious," he whispered.

"Oh, right," Sirius whispered back, "Come to think of it, James is usually the one to watch that." He began pouring drinks, pouring a fourth for James and setting it across from Lily. She, however, kept staring at the Slytherin table.

There! A drop of potion materialized in thin air and splashed into an empty goblet...and another...and another. A section of at least ten goblets had drops in them before the drops stopped forming, the section usually occupied by the Seventh Year Slytherins.

And, sure enough, a few moments later, James walked in, followed by the Slytherins. By now, many of the Gryffindors had gathered that the Marauders had a prank up their sleeves and awaited the results with bated breath. Everyone was so preoccupied that only Lily noticed Harry as he tipped a drop of potion into each of the Marauder's drinks.

The Slytherins took mouthful after mouthful; nothing happened. Their goblets were drained. James grinned.

"Not long now," he said, raising his glass for a toast. All four of them clinked glasses and downed their drinks in one gulp. The second they put their goblets down, the Great Hall erupted in laughter.

Several older Slytherins, including Severus Snape, now sported red and gold striped hair. It looked very much like they were wearing Gryffindor scarves on their heads, which is undoubtedly what the Marauders intended.

"All hail Gryffindor!" James shouted, then clamped his hand over his mouth as the Slytherins now roared with laughter. His voice had come out high and squeaky, as if he'd inhaled helium.

Sirius, Remus, and Peter began laughing, but stopped once they realized their voices were high too.

"Someone pranked the Marauders! Someone pranked the Marauders!"

"The munchkins escaped from Oz," Harry said, causing the Gryffindor table to renew their laughter. This did little to improve James' mood. Apparently he could play plenty of jokes, but couldn't take one. Fuming, he stormed out of the hall. Sensing trouble, Lily ran after him.

Harry paled, "It was just a joke."

"Was this you?" Sirius asked, cracking on the word 'you', raising his voice several octaves higher than normal.

Chuckling, Remus smiled at Harry, "Nicely done. And I'm sure James will agree once he stops being sore."

Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Snape sneak out of the Great Hall, fury all over his face.

"Maybe I should talk to him," said Harry, rising before anyone could stop him.

James saw Snape, too.

"Think you're funny, do you?" Snape spat.

Staring coolly at him, James replied, in his still high voice, "A riot."

Sneering, Snape said, "But you got what's been coming to you for a long time." Then he laughed. James reached for his wand.

"Don't!" Lily yelled, grabbing his arm, "Just leave him."

He shrugged her hand off, "But I haven't had fun with Snivellus for a while."

Planning to fire a Leg-Locker Curse, James raised his wand. Unfortunately, his plans were ruined when his wand flew out of his hand, straight into Harry's left. His right was still extended from casting the Disarming Charm.

"I don't need your help," cried Snape. He aimed a curse at Harry, who cast a Shield Charm with James' wand and the Full Body Bind with his wand.

"Who said I was?" Seeing the crowd that had gathered, Harry waved both wands, saying, "Nothing more to see here." Everyone scattered.

Furious, James dragged Harry into the nearest empty classroom, Lily quickly following, Snape left forgotten.

"What was that?" asked James, confused, "Don't tell me you sympathize with Snape."

"No!" Harry said quickly, "You have no idea how much I hate Snape-"

"Then what's the problem?"

"Your idea of fun is hexing someone for no reason besides that they exist," Harry had a pained look in his eye. Lily didn't blame him; children shouldn't have to see and correct the bad in their parents. He continued more quietly, "That's as bad as Voldemort."

James recoiled, as if slapped, "I'm not like them, like a Slytherin. I stand up to my enemies, like any true Gryffindor should."

"That doesn't mean you hex them whenever you feel like it. A true Gryffindor stands up for what is right, no matter who they have to stand up to." Without another word, Harry fled.

James sank to his knees, his head in his hands, "What have I done?"

Lily sat down beside him and cupped his face, "You didn't mature quite as fast as our son. Remember, you're seventeen, not thirty-seven."

"What could have happened to him to make him this way?"

"I don't know."

He stood up, suddenly anxious, "I need to talk to him. I...I need to make things right." Lily's answer was a quick kiss on the cheek.

Dashing out the door, he went to find Sirius. His nose found Sirius' back just outside. The whole motley crew was outside, surveying what had happened, including Snape, still immobile on the ground. James quickly grabbed Sirius, Ron and Hermione and shoved them into the room.

He spoke, still very anxious, "Quick, open the map, Sirius. I need to find Harry."

They all poured over the map until Ron pointed to a spot over by the lake. James knew that spot well. He said a quick thanks before running out.

Coincidently, Harry had chosen the tree by the lake that the Marauders had sat under after the Defense OWL. James had had "fun" with Snape that day, too. He prayed that Harry hadn't heard this story, but somehow he doubted it.

"It hurt you, saying that to me."

Harry didn't turn his head, just simply answered, "Yes."

"But it had to be said, by someone besides Lily."

"Unfortunately for me." He chuckled, "At least I don't sound like I swallowed helium. By the way, that should wear off around dinner."

"That was you?" James ogled at Harry, who only grinned, "But, how? I've never heard of anything like it."

"You wouldn't. It's mostly physics. I used a spell to compress some helium so much that it liquified and then poured it in your drinks."

James blinked, then threw his head back laughing, "You're a bloody, maniacal genius. Powerful to boot, too. Two wands! I was beginning to think you were all power and no fun."

"I'm not that serious."

Sighing, James sat beside Harry, "But you are definitely maturing faster than I am. I'm not stupid. Something's happened to you, something that shouldn't happen to a kid. It's destroyed your blissful innocence of childhood."

"Please don't ask that. I can't tell you," he pleaded.

"Alright, I won't. If you ever want to tell me, though, I'll listen."

"I'll remember that."

"Now," James said, jumping up, "I want to see you explain this prank to Moony."

"Why?"

"For once, I want to see him completely clueless."