Marauder means friends for life
Chapter 7 Holidays end
The five Marauders spent their holiday well, sneaking into Hogsmeade, having ferocious snowball wars, and abusing the room of requirements power to amuse them selves- I need two perfect essays on the Goblin wars of 1638 (Lily promptly burnt them, much to James and Sirius' dismay.) and- I need a place where I have super powers… (Sirius had zapped a hole in Peters hand- Madam Pomfrey hadn't been amused.)
James and Lily had grown closer, they were now a solid couple, and, although Lily still prevented James from doing things that were somewhat stupid or dangerous, she had loosened up considerably, sneaking out with them at night and to Hogsmeade. She blamed the fact that she was now a Marauder. Sirius said she had finally cracked under their strain. Remus blamed James. Peter didn't blame anyone and said it was bound to happen sooner or later, and that they should hurry and get to breakfast, as he wanted toast. James was still too awed by the fact that Lily Evans was his girlfriend to think about blaming anyone for something he was so happy about.
The five teenagers in question were sitting on the edge of the lake. The snow had melted, leaving the grass sopping wet and cold to the touch, so James had conjured a large rug, on which they were all seated on, surrounded by homework and books.
Sirius sighed as he closed his Charms essay. He had finally finished his homework- on the last day of the holidays. James was helping Peter with his Transfiguration assignment, Lily and Remus were reading, having finished their homework in the first week of the holidays.
"I'm bored." He complained.
Remus sighed and put down his book, probably ensuring the survival of his friends sanity, or the little remains they had.
"Only boring people get bored Pads."
Sirius took the bait and jumped to his feet theatrically.
"You!? You accuse me of being boring? Oh the irony! The foolishness of it all! You my good sir are a low life, who continually makes use of the most disgusting, evil and nasty creations in all of history!" Sirius lowered his voice comically and spat out "Books"
Remus too stood and mock glared at Sirius. "Not I, Remus John Lupin! I on no occasion have been tedious! I who have vast intelligence, far beyond your comprehension! (Ha! Spell that Sirius!) I have not once been dull. Oh No! It is you! You, Sirius Black, who is the master, of one, that is vile, loathsome, hateful and nauseating- DOG BREATH!" and with that he ran away, calling insults to the large black mongrel that was chasing him. James, and Peter were rolling on the ground laughing, and Lily was smiling at their silliness. Suddenly Sirius darted into the cover of the dark forest, and Remus' face paled.
Dumbledore was walking towards them, long beard swaying in the slight breeze.
Had he seen Sirius? What if he had?
But Dumbledore gave no sign of having seen one of his students illegally turn into a dog. Instead he sat down next to Peter and smiled.
"Hello boys. Oh and of course, Miss Evans. Enjoying your last day of freedom?"
Lily nodded politely "Yes sir," she glanced at James, "they've been wonderful."
"But I'm afraid they've gone too quickly for my liking Professor" added James, smiling at Lily, who blushed as Dumbledore chuckled.
"Indeed, I must agree… Well hello Mr Lupin."
Remus smiled as he sat down next to James. Dumbledore peered around the group and his eyebrows knitted in a thoughtful frown. "Where is young Mr Black?"
"In the common room-"
"Has a headache-"
"Doing homework-"
"Hogsmeade-"
Four people answered the Headmaster all at once.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, his piercing blue eyes searching the teens before him.
"Is that so? My, Mr Black is a busy fellow isn't he?"
"What we mean to say sir-" started Lily looking a bit lost
"Is that Sirius is on top secret Marauder business sir, you understand." Remus saved them.
James nodded. "confidential and all that, sorry headmaster, cant say."
Dumbledore obviously didn't believe this but he let the subject drop.
"Ah. I understand Mr Potter, well I'm afraid I must be going now, I still haven't thought of a welcome back speech for the feast tonight. Enjoy the rest of your day." With that he nodded and strode off back to the castle. Only when the doors to the castle shut and there was a resounding thump, did Sirius walk out from the bushes of the dark forest, a bit pale.
"That was way to close" said Remus.
"I'll say." nodded Sirius, "if Dumbledore caught me as Padfoot…" he shuddered.
The boys nodded and Lily looked thoughtful and a bit nervous.
Remus noticed. "Lils what's up?"
Lily opened her mouth, shut it, and tried again. "Listen… I've been thinking… I- I want you to teach me how to become an animagus."
There was a short silence and then the boys grinned.
"This- will be fun." Said James
Sirius, James, Peter and Remus were late for dinner- and were now running through many secret passages and corridors to get to the welcome back feast.
Lily had gone down to Hogsmeade to meet her friends, Paige and Chase who were twins, Hannah and Elizabeth (Liz).
The boys skidded to a halt in front of the Great Hall, opening the doors with a bang. All talk stopped and the population of Hogwarts turned to stare at the Marauders.
Remus blushed, not liking all the stares he and his friends were harvesting. Sirius grinned and waved. "Everyone have a good holiday?"
James spotted Lily and her friends and the four of them made their way over.
"Good of you to finally turn up James." said Lily smiling.
"Well I figured I'd been without your marvellous presence long enough, so I am here to bask in your radiance. They-" he added, pointing with his thumb over his shoulder at the other Marauders, Sirius already on his second helping of roast beef and gravy, "are just here for the food- Sirius was hungry."
Lily giggled. "That much is obvious James… Um- Sirius; slow down, you're going to choke yourself-"
Sirius grinned and swallowed, then said. "Me- choke? Never!" and with that he promptly started eating again
Lily smiled and turned back to talking with the girls, only to find that they, including most other people in the Great hall were staring at the five of them.
"What?" Lily said confused.
"What!?" exclaimed Paige "what was all that about?"
"Since when are you on speaking terms with the Marauders?" added Hannah, looking a bit awed.
"Oh um-" started Lily blushing and glancing at James, who took the hint.
"Since she made me the luckiest guy in the school." said James grinning happily at Lily and putting his arm around her waist.
"And the fact that she is the fifth Marauder would also ensure that she speaks to us- rather frequently in fact." added Remus.
Peter nudged Sirius, who looked at him, and then a look of perception came over him.
"Oh, yeah that's my cue, isn't it!?" and with that he stood up and pointed his wand at his throat. "Sonorus" he muttered and his thunderous voice flowed through the room.
"Good evening Hogwarts! May I please have your attention?"
Remus snorted as it was pretty obvious that Sirius had everyone's interest, even the teachers.
"Thanks. Ok, first off, welcome back! Hope you had good holidays, etc, etc. Now on with the good stuff! Ok I would like to announce… For all you ladies out there, I'm afraid that James is no longer single and Miss Lily Evans is his (finally) his girlfriend! Wahoo! Oh and there's a new Marauder in town- she doesn't want me to tell you who she is, but I think Lily's being silly! Anyway, enjoy your meal!"
The entire hall was silent until Chase said "There goes your chance of ever being head girl Lily."
Ok I'm REALLY sorry I haven't updated in so long- I got back from Aus and all this work was thrown at me, you can imagine… I also have exams next week, so really should be studying but- well- yeah. Update please!
Disclaimer: Go look up the word 'disclaimer' in the dictionary. Cheers. )
