A/n- My longest ever chapter peeps... because i couldn't just stop writing after chapter twenty seven...

Chapter twenty five
THE BEETLE AT BAY

Harry's question was answered the very next morning... MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN MINISTRY FEARS BLACK IS "RALLYING POINT" FOR OLD DEATH EATERS

"Ten death eaters at loose! How the did they manage that!" Lily said shocked. "Dumbledore always said, we had to take the dementors on our side, if only Fudge had cooperated in time, a lot of loves would have been saved. Infact we could have prevented the war" Ginny said bitterly. "But that means the war is starting?" Remus asked. "It started the day Voldemort came back. He was planning and plotting for two years before coming out in open." Ginny replied.

"Black?" said Harry loudly. "Not — ?"... Oh my —" said Hermione wonderingly, still staring at the newspaper.

"There's more?" Lily looked horrified.

"What now?" said Harry quickly; he was feeling jumpy... these doubters now seemed to be turning to the only other explanation available to them, the one that Harry and Dumbledore had been expounding since the previous year.

"Oh thank Merlin! Atleast some people will believe him now. This book was making me positively depressed" Sirius said huffing.

It was not only the students' mood that had changed... Teachers are hereby banned from giving students any information that is not strictly related to the subjects they are paid to teach.

"What the fudge is wrong with ministry!" James said disbelievingly.

The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-six... Exploding Snap's got nothing to do with Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor! That's not information relating to your subject!"

They all laughed, but stopped at next sentence.

When Harry next saw Lee, the back of his hand was bleeding rather badly. Harry recommended essence of murtlap... He was also more distant with Harry, Ron, and Hermione than he had ever been before, expressly forbidding them to visit him after dark.

"Poor Hagrid! He shouldn't be afraid. I'm sure he knows more about the subject then that toad woman" Lily said.

"If she catches yeh, it'll be all of our necks on the line," he told them flatly... a means of deflecting minor jinxes so that they rebounded upon the attacker, only Hermione mastered the charm faster than Neville.

Lily's eyes watered again.

In fact Harry would have given a great deal to be making as much progress at Occlumency... he's actually trying to open Harry's mind a bit wider . . . make it easier for You-Know —"

"That really makes sense!" James agreed.

"Shut up, Ron," said Hermione angrily. "How many times have ... with Cho since they had agreed to visit the village together, but suddenly found himself facing a Valentine's Day spent entirely in her company.

"Eww! Don't tell me he went on his first date on Valentine's" Sirius grimaced. "And what's wrong with that?" Lily asked. "Everything! If you take a new girl out on Valentine's she'd expect everything to be overly romantic and clichéd." Sirius gagged. Lily rolled her eyes.

On the morning of the fourteenth he dressed particularly carefully... he was suddenly horribly aware of his arms and how stupid they looked swinging at his sides.

Lily giggled.

"Hi," said Cho slightly breathlessly... occasionally throwing pink confetti over the occupants.

"See Lily that's what I was talking about" Sirius said. Lily had to agree with him on that one. She wouldn't be caught dead in that place.

"Aaah . . ." They sat down at the last remaining table, which was situated in the steamy window... Amazing how much more difficult it was to extend his arm twelve inches and touch her hand than to snatch a speeding Snitch from midair . . .

James grimaced. He could totally understand Harry's pain.

But just as he moved his hand forward, Cho took hers off the table... he was so relieved at finally understanding what she was annoyed about that he laughed, which he realized a split second too late was a mistake.

The guys laughed hard. Sirius had tears in his eyes. Lily was cringing.

Cho sprang to her feet. The whole tearoom was quiet,... "that's exactly what Little Miss Perfect does want."

"She's kidding right?" James asked.

Rita stared at her. So did Harry. Luna, on the other hand, sang, "Weasley Is Our King"... Ready to tell the public the truth?"

"Great plan! I'm glad Harry's got someone as brilliant as her" Remus said. Ginny beamed.

"I suppose," said Harry, watching Rita balancing the QuickQuotes Quill at the ready on the parchment between them. "Fire away, then, Rita," said Hermione serenely, fishing a cherry out of the bottom of her glass.

Chapter twenty-six
Seen and unforeseen
Luna said vaguely that she did not know how soon Rita's interview... so that the final score was two hundred and forty versus two hundred and thirty.

The guys cringed. So did Ginny, remembering that awful match.

"Good catch," Harry told Ginny back in the common room, where the atmosphere closely resembled that of a particularly dismal funeral... If she could have done one thing to make absolutely sure that every single person in this school will read your interview, it was banning it!"

Sirius laughed gleefully "That is so true!"

And it seemed that Hermione was quite right... "I believe you. And I've sent a copy of that magazine to me mam."

"Ooo... that's great!" Lily squealed.

If anything more was needed to complete Harry's happiness, it was Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle's reactions... A girl was laughing as a scrawny boy tried to mount a bucking broomstick —

Lily looked highly upset for some reason that James couldn't understand, nevertheless he put his arm around her and she buried her face in his robes.

"ENOUGH!" Harry felt as though he had been pushed hard in the chest;... that the crying little boy who had watched his parents shouting was actually standing in front of him with such loathing in his eyes. . . .

Understanding hit James "That laughing girl was you?" He asked her quietly. Lily nodded.

"Let's try again, shall we?" said Snape... And I am happy to say that on this occasion I have succeeded. May I introduce you?"

Sirius laughed. "Dumbledore always manages to find loop holes in all rules. I sometimes feel he's more badass than us!"

He turned to face the open front doors, through which night mist was now drifting... I think you'll find him suitable."

Chapter twenty seven
THE CENTAUR AND THE SNEAK

I 'll bet you wish you hadn't given up Divination now, don't you, Hermione?" asked Parvati, smirking... In the middle of the room, where there were no trees, stood Firenze.

"Why cant we have classes like that!" Lily moaned.

"Harry Potter," he said, holding out a hand when Harry entered... "Did Hagrid breed you, like the thestrals?" asked Dean eagerly.

"Uh-oh! He did not just ask him that!" Remus said.

Firenze turned his head very slowly to face Dean, who seemed to... His attempt is not working. He would do better to abandon it."

"What's he doing? I thought he abandoned his attempts to make peace with Giants." James asked. "You'll know soon enough" Ginny replied.

"His attempt is not working?" Harry repeated blankly... Dobby — she hasn't found out about this — about us — about the D.A.?"

"But how!" Sirius said glumly.

He read the answer in the elf's stricken face... Cho's curlyhaired friend Marietta, who was hiding her face in her hands.

"Bitch!" James muttered.

"Don't be scared, dear, don't be frightened," said Professor Umbridge softly,... Fudge remained motionless in mid-bounce, his mouth hanging open.

They all laughed.

Umbridge recovered first... A sudden suspicion connected to Kingsley's whisper and the thing he had felt shoot past him sprang into Harry's mind.

"Oh he jinxed her. Brilliant!" James said.

"Dolores," said Fudge, with the air of trying to settle something once and for all,... Not Potter's Army. Dumbledore's Army." "But — but —"

"No! He's taking the blame on himself isn't he!" Lily said horrified.

Understanding blazed suddenly in Fudge's face. He took a horrified... You know, Minister, I disagree with Dumbledore on many counts . . . but you cannot deny he's got style. . . ."

Chapter twenty eight
Snape's worst memory

"Why do I get a feeling it might be something related to us" Sirius said smirking. Ginny tried not to grimace. He won't be so happy after this chapter, she reckoned.

by order of — The Ministry of Magic Dolores Jane Umbridge (High Inquisitor) has replaced Albus Dumbledore as Head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry... Oh yeah, I forgot, you're a Mudblood, Granger, so ten for that. . . ."

"A-hole!" James hissed at the last comment.

Ron pulled out his wand, but Hermione pushed it away, whispering, "Don't!"...due to the fact that we forced him headfirst into that Vanishing Cabinet on the first floor."

James and Sirius laughed heartily. Ginny met Remus' eyes who smiled and looked away uncomfortably.

Hermione looked very shocked... we reckon a bit of mayhem —" said George. "— is exactly what our dear new Head deserves," said Fred.

"Yeah show her future Marauders!" Sirius cheered.

"You mustn't!" whispered Hermione. "You really mustn't! She'd love a reason to expel you!" ... I wish you to have a drink with me," she said, her voice becoming more dangerously sweet. "Choose one."

"She's going to poison him isn't she" Lily said looking wildly at Ginny who giggled at her look.

"Fine . . . tea then," said Harry, shrugging... I promise you. I repeat, Mr. Potter . . . Where is Sirius Black?"

"The truth portion? Lily asked. Ginny nodded.

"No idea," said Harry loudly. "Haven't got a clue." ... Meanwhile, several of the dragons and a large purple bat that was smoking ominously took advantage of the open door at the end of the corridor to escape toward the second floor.

"Your brother's... are bloody brilliant! I cant wait to meet them" Sirius said excitedly. Ginny chuckled.

"Hurry, Filch, hurry!" shrieked Umbridge. "They'll be all over the school unless we do something — Stupefy!"... "I could have got rid of the sparklers myself, of course, but I wasn't sure whether I had the authority. . . ."

They all were laughing hard.

Beaming, he closed his classroom door in her snarling face... Don't start crying again," said Harry warningly.

"Is he that mean with you too? Lily asked, concerned. Ginny snorted "Like I'd let him."

"I wasn't going to!" she shouted... defense against the dark arts — ordinary wizarding level

"Oh that day" James said not looking overly enthusiastic now. Sirius broke into laughter remembering it. Lily looked away clearly upset.

So Snape had to be fifteen or sixteen, around Harry's own age... Harry could tell that when James stood up, they would be within an inch of each other's heights.

James grinned widely. Even Lily turned to smile at him.

James yawned hugely and rumpled up his hair, making it even... He was very good-looking; his dark hair fell into his eyes with a sort of casual elegance neither James's nor Harry's could ever have achieved,

"That's true" Sirius laughed. James messed up him hairs. Sirius yelled and shot back from him looking absolutely betrayed. Then he brought out a comb and fixed his hair very dramatically making the others laugh.

and a girl sitting behind him was eyeing him hopefully, though he didn't seem to have noticed.

"Who sits beside me?" Sirius enquired. "Ally from Hufflepuff. Why do you ask?" Lily said narrowing her eyes. "Just curious" Sirius said raising his hands.

And two seats along from this girl —... He had drawn a Snitch and was now tracing the letters L. E. What did they stand for?

"Lily Evans ofcourse!" Sirius and Remus burst out laughing. James looked at Lily, messing up his hair sheepishly. Lily blushed and awwed a little.

"Quills down, please!" squeaked Professor Flitwick... He put his hand in his pocket and took out a struggling Golden Snitch.

Lily snorted "So modest!"

"Where'd you get that?"... cooling their feet in the water.

"There's me!" Lily cheered.

Lupin had pulled out a book and was reading...Before Wormtail wets himself from excitement."

They laughed at the old joke.

Wormtail turned slightly pink but James grinned... "Excellent," he said softly. "Snivellus."

Lily's smile vanished.

Harry turned to see what Sirius was looking at... though his eyes were not moving and a faint frown line had appeared between his eyebrows.

Sirius raised an eyebrow at Remus who was looking resolutely on the book.

Wormtail was looking from Sirius and James to Snape with a look of avid anticipation on his face... There'll be great grease marks all over it, they won't be able to read a word."

Ginny laughed slightly unable to control herself. She forgot this joke was here. Sirius joined her. Others were listening very seriously.

Several people watching laughed;... Leave him ALONE!"

"And here comes Lily bear!" Sirius said excitedly. Despite of herself Lily chuckled.

James and Sirius looked around. James's free hand jumped to his hair again... All right, Evans?" said James, and the tone of his voice was suddenly pleasant, deeper, more mature.

Lily laughed. This part of her school life, even though she hated James, and she'd never admit it to anyone, but she loved their banters. She'd go back to her room, think about there latest argument and went to sleep smiling. Because deep down she always knew James was a good guy at heart and a good friend.

"Leave him alone," Lily repeated... I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid," said Lily.

This made them all laugh. "Good old days"

"Bad luck, Prongs," said Sirius briskly, turning back to Snape... Lily, whose furious expression had twitched for an instant as though she was going to smile, said, "Let him down!"

"I wasn't going to smile" Lily defended as Sirius was looking at her gleefully.

"Certainly," said James and he jerked his wand upward... I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head on it. You make me SICK."

Lily cringed. "I said all that? Sorry hon I didn't mean it. Well most of it" James grinned at her and puller her cheek

She turned on her heel and hurried away... trying and failing to look as though this was a throwaway question of no real importance to him.

James was hating Harry right now. He was spilling all his secrets. Why must he be so specific and observant.

"Reading between the lines, I'd say she thinks you're a bit conceited, mate," said Sirius... Harry looked around to see who had hold of him, and saw, with a thrill of horror, a fully grown, adult-sized Snape standing right beside him, white with rage.

"Oh no!" Lily's hand shot up to her mouth.

"Having fun?" Harry felt himself rising into the air... his father had been every bit as arrogant as Snape had always told him.

James hissed, looking really hurt. Surely Harry must understand that he was fifteen and he wasn't proud of what he did. He grew out of it. Harry had to understand that.

Chapter twenty nine
CAREER ADVICE

But why haven't you got Occlumency lessons anymore?" said Hermione, frowning... And now . . . now he felt cold and miserable at the thought of him.

James hung his head in shame. Never would he had thought that Harry would hate him. Even Sirius looked shell shocked. Lily tried to comfort James but he wouldn't even look at her.

The weather grew breezier, brighter, and warmer as the holidays passed, but Harry was stuck with the rest of the fifth and seventh years,... "Sirius's knife," he said. "Excuse me?"

Sirius' grin returned.

"Christmas before last Sirius gave me a knife that'll open any lock," said Harry... He has achieved high marks in all Defense Against the Dark Arts tests set by a competent teacher."

"Holy shit! She has guts" Lily said impressed.

Professor Umbridge's smile vanished as suddenly as a lightbulb blowing... "I'm fifteen!" said Harry heatedly.

James grimaced further.

"Look, Harry," said Sirius placatingly,... Did I ever have the guts to tell you I thought you were out of order?"

Remus turned pink as both James and Sirius eyed him.

"Yeah, well," said Sirius, "you made us feel ashamed of ourselves sometimes... "He couldn't stop himself showing off whenever he got near her."

That made Lily laugh and James blush.

"How come she married him?" Harry asked miserably... "I mean, James didn't take Snape on dates with her and jinx him in front of her, did he?"

Lily eyed James suspiciously. James held his hand up in surrender "I haven't jinxed him since Ginny showed up"

Sirius frowned at Harry, who was still looking unconvinced... "I've got the form and I've got the whips waiting. . . . Oh, let me do it now. . . ."

"She's gonna let him whip students!" Lily asked shocked. "She cant even touch Fred and George" Ginny said proudly.

"Very good, Argus," she said... students below and sped out of the open front doors into the glorious sunset.

The guys looked positively awed. "Your brothers are legends!"

A/n- I hope you all enjoyed it...