Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
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"GOOD MORNING POTTERS!" Sirius yelled as he walked into the cottage.
Moony had told him to give them a week and a half honeymoon period. Luckily that period had ended two hours ago so he wasn't going to get in trouble with this impromptu visit…he hoped. Lily was particularly grouchy in the mornings but he figured Prongs would stick up for him.
"Lily's going to murder you." A sleepy voice said from the stairs.
Sirius turned to see James standing there in his snitch patterned pajamas rubbing his eyes tiredly.
"I bet she already fell back asleep." He said knowingly, "How's life as a married man?"
"Brilliant. This place is perfect." James plopped onto the nearest couch and Sirius sat in the chair across from him.
"Excited for tomorrow?" Sirius asked.
It had been quite a while since him and James had sat down and had a man-to-man talk. Sirius loved Lily to death but anytime the subject changed to Quidditch around her she went into a rant about how incredibly dangerous it was but she usually contradicted herself within the next minute by noting how 'the game is really quite clever and the mechanics are incredible once you think about it.' Needless to say, the boys never really got the chance to talk.
"Not every guy gets to run around a forest with a werewolf every month, I think I'm more than excited."
"I'm glad Dumbledore gave Moony the okay to use the Shack again."
"Do you think he knows…about us?" James asked.
"Of course he does, he's Dumbledore." Sirius scoffed.
That was the answer to just about everything concerning the aging man. How did he defeat Grindelwald? He's Dumbledore. Why does Voldemort fear him? He's Dumbledore. How did he become such an amazing headmaster? He's Dumbledore. How can he get away with having a three-foot long beard? He's Dumbledore. James always fantasized about having a name like that. A name where he never needed an explanation for how he did things, he was just who he was.
James turned as he heard someone about to come down the stairs. It was obvious that that someone was Lily.
"Morning, Sirius. I hate you right now…a lot." She spoke as she slid down the stairs apparently too lazy to walk. She trudged over to James and stretched out on the couch, using his lap as a pillow.
"I love you too, Sunshine." He said with a smirk, "Why so tired?"
"We stayed up to play in the rain." She mumbled while burrowing her head deeper into James.
Very soon into their relationship back at Hogwarts Lily had discovered that James probably had the comfiest lap in the world. Granted, she hadn't laid on many boys' laps before but she was convinced that his would out rule all.
"Really?"
"Hmmm." She hummed in response.
"Yeah, we threw on our rain boots and splashed in every puddle out there." James said grinning at the recent memory.
Sirius immediately burst into loud laughter. He could just picture the two of them holding hands and jumping into the little pools of water like in those cheesy chick flicks Alice and Marlene had tried to get him to watch in the past week. Apparently not being able to be with Lily made him their second choice. Moony found that hilarious and Frank only shook his head in amusement.
"I didn't think it rained last night." Sirius said between his chuckles.
"It did…at one in the morning. Lily was having me watch all her favorite muggle movies on the televitson,"
"Television, James." Lily's muffled voice said interrupting him.
"Right, television. My favorite was Star Wars. By the time we were done it was raining so we went outside."
"I can't help but feel a little jealous that you guys didn't invite me." Sirius pouted. James merely rolled his eyes in response. "To make up for it I demand you take me on a tour of this painfully small village."
"Deal, as long as you let us sleep for another half hour."
"Fine with me." He said shrugging, "Now toss me that pillow."
Within the next three minutes the boy was fast asleep on the carpet, which he later reported to be very, very comfortable.
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Remus knocked loudly on the Potter's door. He soon heard soft footsteps; the click of a muggle bolt being unlocked and several muttered enchantments before the door swung open to reveal a bright eyed Lily. Her hair was a bit tousled and Remus assumed she had only gotten up moments ago.
"Morning Remus, what are James and Sirius every full moon?"
"A stag and dog." He said with a smile before walking in. "I'm glad you have the sense to ask a security question."
She looked over her shoulder and Remus saw Sirius sleeping on the floor and James passed out on the couch.
"I wouldn't be surprised if James forgot to ask Sirius a question, but by his behavior I'm sure it's him. How he got past the enchantments I have no idea."
"James told him how no doubt." Remus said with a chuckle.
"How are you?" she asked wearily.
This was definitely on of Remus's worst days. The premature greyness that streaked patches of his hair seemed to stand out more and his face was white as snow. His many scars also seemed to jet out severely. It wasn't a pleasant sight and it made Lily's hear ache for the man who did so much good but had gotten cursed with something so awful anyway.
"Well enough. Full moon's tomorrow so I'm a bit worse for wear…a little achy, a little tired, but that's all really."
Lily could tell he was lying as the pain was obviously etched onto his face despite how hard he tried to hide it. She knew arguing wouldn't do anyone any good so she merely frowned and led him into the kitchen as to not wake James and Sirius. They sat down at the large table where Lily had been finishing her breakfast. Remus poured himself some cereal as he sat down, knowing she wouldn't mind.
"James didn't tell you how to get past the enchantment then?" she asked trying to take her mind off his awful state.
"Oh, he did. I was just kind enough to knock." He replied smiling.
"Well thank you then. I fell out of bed when Sirius waltzed in screaming like a banshee. Have you heard from the others?"
"Yes, I have, Peter has the stomach flu and Frank has an interview at the Ministry. He was part of the first round of aurors accepted. The second round should be gathered any day now. Alice and Marlene are coming any minute though."
"Poor Peter, I hope he feels well soon. Now Frank's interview? It makes my head hurt thinking about having to find somewhere to work."
"Have you heard from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement yet?"
"No, I'm hoping I will soon enough though. Thank goodness they haven't gathered the second group yet or I'd know my chances were shot." She said nervously. She had no idea what she'd do with her life if she didn't become and auror.
"Don't worry," Remus paused, as Sirius was heard scream from the living room. He looked to Lily, but she already had her wand out and was rushing to the sound.
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"Are sure this is a good idea?" Alice asked Marlene wearily as they stood outside the Potter's door.
"Of course I am, it'll be hilarious, I promise." She replied with a chuckle.
Marlene couldn't wait to see their faces after they walked in. There was of course the slim chance of being hexed, but Marlene suspected they'd be asleep still anyway. Her modified robes swished around her feet as she fidgeted nervously, playing it all out in her head.
Finally, she was prepared.
"Alice, be a doll and get rid of the enchantments will you?" she asked her friend beside her. She was answered with a sigh as Alice got to work doing all the standard procedures Lily had told her of.
The two quietly entered the nice home and were careful to remove their shoes so that they wouldn't make any extra noise. Marlene pulled the cowl of her robe up so that her face was hidden with shadows. Her grin grew as she muttered the incantation to modify her voice.
Alice snuck a look around the corner and saw both James and Sirius sleeping in the living room. She could hear voices and concluded that Lily and Remus were talking somewhere back in the house.
"They're right there." She nervously spoke to Marlene.
"Brilliant."
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Lily and Remus both ran into the living room after Sirius' scream to see James, Alice, and Marlene rolling on the ground laughing as Sirius scowled at them like a little boy.
"What happened? You scared me half to death!" Lily shouted. She grabbed the nearest pillow and whacked Sirius over the head with it multiple times as he cowered from her terror. "Sirius! You are an idiot! I thought you were hurt!"
"I'm fine! I'm fine! I'm fine!" he chanted after each time she hit him. Remus was now doubled over with laughter alongside the others at the spectacle.
"Lily!" Alice gasped between her guffaws. "I'm sorry, we just scared him!"
She agreed with Marlene at that point, it had been brilliant seeing his face after he saw Marley standing over him with that silly robe on. His eyes had grown wide as saucers and his hand snatched at his pocket only to find that his wand wasn't there. They weren't surprised that he ended up screaming.
"Scared me? I thought I was facing my death!" he exclaimed breathing deeply. Lily had finally stopped hitting him.
"I may or may not have modified my voice for a second and donned a black robe." Marlene giggled.
"Gosh, woman, what's wrong with you!" Sirius said rubbing his now sore head. Lily threw the pillow at Marlene causing her to tumble to the ground.
"Sorry, Sirius. I thought it was your fault." Lily said shrugging, not offering a very sincere apology.
"I got a full minute of head bashing and the real culprit gets the pillow tossed at her? What happened to justice?"
"Sirius, you've never taken 'justice' into account before." Remus noted.
"Touché. Can we please just get out of here now?" he moaned ready to get on with their promised tour of Godric's Hollow.
Lily grinned widely, excited to show her friends her new home. It was a shame Frank couldn't be there but he could drop by anytime he'd like. It was wonderful that he had a job interview, but it made her worry about how she hadn't been offered her own yet. Frank was striving to be an auror just as the rest of them, but none of them had received any word of it.
Lily was quite lucky that James was so well off or they would have had to spend her honeymoon looking for a job to hold them over until they received word from the Ministry. If she so pleased she'd never have to work a day in her life actually. James had made that very clear and Lily suspected it was because he didn't truly want her to become an auror. She understood his worry, but nothing was going to get her to back out.
James had actually voiced his opinions to his mother one afternoon when he and Lily had gone to visit his parents. It started off well enough but enfolded into something entirely in Lily's favor. She remembered the conversation quite clearly and looked back on the moment with pride.
"Mum?" James had asked. "What do you think of us becoming aurors?"
"I think it's brilliant, Jamie, the program could use a few fresh-out-of-school recruits like you two. Goodness knows that place is about to go to the dogs."
"You don't think it's too…dangerous, do you?" Lily remembered scowling at that, knowing where he was going with it.
"Scared are you, Jamie?" Dorea had laughed.
"Not me, I'm just worried for…some of the other recruits."
"James, this is pathetic, stop trying to get your mother on your side!" Lily had exclaimed finally sick of it. She could hear the real meaning behind his words. "Other recruits" obviously meant her.
"Do you have some secret motive behind this, James? Just like your father, you are." Dorea had said shaking her head. Just then Mr. Potter walked in with a smile on his face.
"Talking about me, dear?"
"James here seems to think that Lily can't handle the Auror program."
"I never said that!" James had spoke defiantly.
"It sure was implied." Lily said with a roll of her eyes.
"Lily here is as tough as nails, you better face the facts and realize that she isn't backing down, boy." Charles spoke. That single sentence had left James in a state of defeat and he hadn't mentioned it sense.
Lily turned back to reality and found her friends and husband bickering as usual. She smiled fondly at some of their classic comments that always made her realize how much she loved them.
"Don't be such a girl, Padfoot." James was saying as he marched to the front door and flung it open.
"I've decided to take that offensively." Alice stated soon after.
"Way to be, Ali." Marlene exclaimed with a giant grin on her face as they all followed James out the door.
"I have no doubt this will be very boring, but hopefully I won't be wasting too much of my Saturday." Sirius exclaimed as soon as they stepped foot outside.
"Shut your mouth, Black, this place is brilliant." Lily replied defensively after hitting him on the back of the head.
"Wow, Evans, you're sounding just like your fifth year self again."
"Well if you want me to apologize it isn't happening. Godric's Hallow is nothing less than amazing. It's my home."
The whole group smiled in response. All were happy that Lily found another thing to smile about. A place where she belonged would do her wonders.
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For the rest of the afternoon the group aimlessly strolled through Godric's Hallow laughing about stories of school and silly ideas that had popped into their heads. Lily went on and on about living next to Bathilda Bagshot while James couldn't stop talking about how their backyard was the perfect size for a Quidditch pitch.
Slowly, but steadily, the conversation turned a little more serious and a lot less laughable.
"Do you think we'll meet him again?" Alice had whispered during a spot of silence.
"Who?"
"Voldemort."
The group froze simultaneously but soon gained their bearings and continued walking. The sun suddenly seemed a little warmer making everything a little more uncomfortable.
"Yes." Lily finally answered after several minutes.
"How do you know?"
"Well I'm going to do all I can to stop him and I'd suspect that'd earn me a meeting or two. Knowing you guys you'll all be at my side."
"Of course we would." Marlene commented. A frown was pasted on her face at the dark turn the conversation had taken.
"What do you think it would take? You know, to stop him?" Sirius asked.
"It's terrifying really how invincible he seems." James replied not really answering the question. "How do you think he got that way; the red glowing eyes, half a nose, and balding head?"
"Dark magic, I'm guessing." Lily said as a shiver went up her spine. "We can do it though, Sirius…stop him. I just don't know how yet"
"Of course, if anyone could it would be the Marauders." Remus said with a small smile.
"Yes, he won't know what hit him. It's a shame we didn't inflict any real damage last time." Sirius said wistfully.
"I just wish we could take action sooner."
"The stupid Ministry hasn't even contacted me yet." Marlene spoke angrily.
At that moment two tawny owls flew towards the group. Each was carrying three letters from the very department at the Ministry that would get them their action. There was one for all of them. They all stood dumbstruck at how much of a coincidence it was. James, being the first open his, read the letter out loud for all of them to hear.
"Dear Mr. Potter,
Based upon your NEWT scores and application sent to The Department of Magical Law Enforcement you have been chosen to train for the position of "Auror" at the Ministry of Magic. You are part of the second group accepted. An orientation far more specific than the seminar held at the beginning of the month is to be held tomorrow at nine o'clock sharp.
Head of Auror Department
Alastor Moody"
All the letters read the same. They had been accepted
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Okay so this chapter is leading up to a lot of action (which is probably obvious because it's so mellow). I hope you enjoyed the calmness of it all. I'm very excited to write about this orientation they have to go through too :). Please review!
-Sweets5236
