Disclaimer: Not mine, well the cookie is, Don't touch it! I said unhand my cookie you fiend.
Chapter eight: Return Prank
Lily barely kept her anger in. Her friend Alice had just informed her that James and Sirius had just gotten into a fight with Severus. That was the fourth time that she had heard of that month.
"I still can't believe Frank helped them," Alice said for the third time, a dreamy smile on her face.
"I can," Lily muttered also lost in her own thoughts.
-Flashback-
Lily walked down the stairs alone, she had slept in later than usual though thankfully it was still early. Voices in the common room stopped her just before she walked in.
"Now if another Slytherin attacks you just use that hex, it'll get them off your back," James deep voice carried over to where Lily was standing.
A younger male's voice followed James, "Thanks, I really don't want to miss another class and spend it in the hospital wing."
Footsteps and the sound of the portrait opening and closing informed Lily of the departure of the others. Lily sighed in relief. She did not want to run into James. Ever since the beginning of the year her feelings for him had confusing her. She didn't seem to hate him anymore and that scared her.
Lily was about to finish walking down the stairs when she heard Sirius's voice. "So Prongs what are your plans to get Lily to date you."
Lily waited for James reply and was shocked when it came. "I don't have any plans, I've given up."
She didn't know why but she felt a pang of disappointment and sadness.
"What!" Sirius's voice rose a notch.
"Face it Padfoot, Lily doesn't like me. I'd ask her if I thought she'd say yes but she won't even look at me any more. I've changed and changed but she doesn't even notice."
Lily felt her heart breaking and before she could squash the part of her that had feelings for James, she was walking into the common room purposely making some noise.
Both men looked at her in shock.
"I'm looking at you now," Lily mentally kicked herself, she was never so tongue-tied.
"Li…Lily," James face was ashen.
"Yes," Lily mentally kicked herself again. James looked at her in confusion.
"Ask, and my answer is yes with a few rules though."
James's eyes widened. "Really,"
Ask," Lily repeated.
"Lily, will you go out with me," James whispered.
"Yes."
James nearly tripped over a chair in his haste to reach her. When he hugged her, Lily felt pleasure bubble inside of her. After he pulled away Lily looked her overjoyed boyfriend in the eye and said seriously, "Only if you and the others don't go around hexing people, Snape in particular."
At this Sirius, who had been watching everything with a goofy grin on his face, began protesting loudly.
"I'm serious." Lily put her hands on her hips.
Five minutes later, Lily got the boys agreement. James had given it freely but Sirius had fought venomously for his right to hex others, only agreeing after very long death glare from his best friend.
-End of Flashback-
Lily could still remember the shocked looks of everyone when she and James walked into the Great Hall for breakfast holding hands. She had been very happy and still was but she did not like James lying to her about not hexing people.
"Hey Alice you like pranks don't you?" Lily's voice was honey sweet.
"Yes," came the wary reply. "Why."
"Care to help?"
"With what?" Alice's interest was sparked.
"Why a prank of course, but you mustn't tell anyone."
"Oh, yes of course." Alice bounced in her seat drawing the attention of the other Gryfindors in the common room. Quickly grabbing her friend, Lily all but dragged her out the portrait, she didn't want anyone knowing anything.
Together the two made their way to Hermione's office, Lily explaining her and Hermione's plans to get back at the men anytime they hexed Severus.
Walking into the empty DADA room, Lily and Alice made their way over to the stairs at the back of the room. Halfway up the stairs the office door opened and Professor McGonagall walked out.
"Professor," Lily greeted moving out of the way so that McGonagall could pass.
"Lily, Alice," McGonagall smiled as she passed two of her favorite students. James, Sirius, and Remus being the other favorites.
Lily and Alice watched as McGonagall walked out of the classroom before rushing up to Hermione's office. The door opened as Lily was about to knock.
"Come in," Hermione smiled and allowed the two women to enter, directing them to two of the three chairs in the room.
Once they were all seated and had tea Lily began to speak. " Professor, they sent Severus to the Hospital Wing. I think it's time for our first prank."
Hermione grinned wickedly, "I have an idea, what about growing noses, like that childhood muggle book, Pinocchio. That way you can question them."
Lily grinned but at Alice's confused look, she clarified, "It's an muggle book for children teaching them not to lie. Anytime this puppet lies his nose grows."
Alice too started to grin. "You know there is that charm we learned to make things grow, perhaps we can tweak it a little."
Lily and Hermione quickly agreed and together the three began working on the plan.
Hermione smiled to herself. She couldn't wait for her first class with seventh year Gryfindors and Slytherins. Lily had put the charms on their victims while they had slept and Alice had put the activating powder in their drinks during breakfast.
Which meant that her first class was bound to be entertaining.
Hermione put on a polite smile as the students entered and took their seats. Once everyone was ready she started speaking. It was hard to act like nothing was wrong but somehow, Hermione managed it. She said nothing as Lily and Alice whispered questions in the Marauders ears and hid her smile as the famous four Marauder's noses grew centimeter by centimeter each time they lied.
Halfway into the class Hermione had the students read. James's nose was getting rather long and if Sirius's odd looks were anything to go by it would soon be known.
Sure enough five minutes later Sirius leaned over to James and whispered in his ear. James looked at Sirius and his nose before whispering something back. After that all hell broke loose.
Sirius jumped up and moaned rather loudly, "Nooooo!"
Leaving his stuff behind, Sirius ran out of the classroom still moaning. James wasn't far behind, tripping over a book bag and smashing into a desk, on his way out. Remus and Peter looked at each other before they to rose from their seats.
"Excuse me professor, but...ah they need us," the werewolf led the confused Peter out of the classroom.
Once the door closed, Lily and Alice who had been stifling their laughter, burst out laughing. They didn't even notice the stares they were receiving. After about a minute, Hermione finally felt that she could speak without laughing herself.
"Class dismissed," Everyone but the two laughing young women rushed out whispering together. It was rare that a teacher let class out early and none of them were going to stick around even if they were curious to know what was happening.
Hermione followed the last student, a Slytherin, to the door and closed it once he left. Turning around she burst out laughing. Then bounding over to Lily and Alice she sat next to Lily. "So, did you find out everything you wanted to know?"
Still giggling Alice replied, "Oh, yes it was very enlightening."
Lily nodded in agreement, "Anytime they lied we'd say lie. It was really starting to scare them."
"Ya, at first they acted fine but after we caught them in a lie six times correctly they started getting nervous."
"So nervous that James let it slip that he had hexed Severus when I asked him." Lily said smugly.
"Ooh, this is good now you just have to deny that you did the spell. Though I doubt they'll think it had something to do with your questions." Hermione said. "They'll probably think you were just guessing to get them riled up, even if the guesses happened to be correct."
Lily and Alice agreed, then went on to inform Hermione all the questions they had asked. They thanked Hermione on their way out when she offered to take the men's books up to them at the Hospital Wing, saving the Lily and Alice from being late to their next classes.
Hermione quickly put the books in their proper bag and put a feather light charm on all of them. Just because she agreed to take the books didn't mean she had to carry all that weight. Sighing Hermione began the long walk towards the Hospital Wing.
Sirius stared at his long nose in the mirror. According to Poppy it was eleven centimeters too long. Growling in frustration, Sirius walked over to where the others were sitting. Poppy had gone to her office getting what she needed to figure out the counter charm.
"This is not fair," Sirius grumbled as he sat down on the edge of the bed James was sitting on. "We are charm masters and here Poppy is telling us that the charms used are really advanced. That they were once easy spells turned complicated and she's not sure what to do to get them fixed, usual spell and potions aren't working."
"I know," James rubbed his over long nose and grimaced. "I'm the best in Charms baring only Lily and even she can't even do something this advanced."
"Maybe a professor helped," Peter said, wincing at the glare James gave him.
"That is so…"
"Wait, he has a point," Remus cut in.
"He does?"
"I do?"
All three men looked at Remus surprised, causing the man in question to look down embarrassed. "Well, think if a student went to a professor for help at getting back at us, that professor might just give the student the charms needed to get the job done.
"Hmm, what professor would do something like that," Sirius asked. His only answer shaking heads.
"Slughorn?" Peter asked.
"No that man couldn't do something like that, too much of a coward. McGonagall maybe?"
Sirius glared at James but Remus spoke before he could say anything. "Why would she interfere now. I mean she's had nearly seven years."
Perhaps its,"
James grew quiet as the doors to the Infirmary opened, and Hermione walked in, four bags obediently floating behind her.
Remus jumped up and brusquely made his way over to the professor. Sirius let out a low growl at his friend and quickly followed.
"Thank you for bringing us our books, professor. Terribly sorry for leaving class like that." Remus took over the bags, stumbling a little as the feather light charm deactivated.
He dumped the bags on the nearest bed.
"It's alright, this time," Hermione tried to say sternly while smiling a Sirius's nose. "So why is your nose growing?"
James narrowed his eyes and tried to speak but Sirius cut him off, "No Idea. Don't you have class?"
"It starts in a few minutes, I can't stay."
Lowering his voice so that the others in the Hospital Wing couldn't hear he said, " Any plans tonight?"
Sirius was happy to see Hermione blush. She answered him just as quietly. "Unfortunately, I'll be gone until at least eleven."
Sirius began pouting causing Hermione to laugh slightly. She waved goodbye and headed back to her classroom.
Sirius watched her hips swinging attractively as she left. Sighing he turned back to his friends. He would have no fun later that night.
It had been three weeks since their 'date' and from that time on any open night they had would be spent snogging and talking. Sirius was surprised at how much he enjoyed their conversations. He was more up to action rather then talking but with her talking was easy.
Poppy rushed out of her office and grabbed Sirius's arm leading him over to a bed. "There, figured it out. Now Sirius you first and let me warn you this may hurt a little."
Sirius soon found out that hurt was an understatement.
"Are you ready, my dear?"
Hermione nodded and with a Pop she and Dumbledore disappeared from the school gates and reappeared in front of an old ugly house. Happy she was already keyed into the wards and didn't have to deal with that again, Hermione followed the Headmaster inside which was the opposite of the outside.
Rich furnishings of muted earth colors adorned the living room of the current Order of the Phoenix headquarters. The house belonged to Gregory Jaren and his wife, Melody. The elderly couple weren't up to running around on order missions anymore and found that letting their house act as headquarters was much easier yet still important.
Hermione remembered the first and only other meeting she had attended. The meetings weren't as common as they were back at her old time but then again Voldemort wasn't as powerful either.
Hermione smiled and greeted other members as she made her way over to Shacklebolt. Of all the members he was one of the few she really felt comfortable around besides Dumbledore. When Hermione walked up to them, the young auror-in-training was speaking with Moody about his mistakes during training at work earlier that day.
She listened to the conversation not daring to interfere. Finally the two stopped speaking and turned to her.
"Hello," Shacklebolt smiled, his voice as soothing as ever.
Moody just grunted, his magical eye focused on her.
Smiling, Hermione ignored the chills she got from the magical eye focused on her and greeted the men, "Good day, how are the Benards doing?" The events that had taken place two weeks ago was still fresh in her mind. Saving the Benards was the first fight against Death Eaters she had participated in since using the Time-Turner.
"Louis is still in St. Mungos but his wife was released and is staying with a friend." Shacklebolt replied. "How well did the girls take the news?"
Hermione grimaced; Kaily Benards was in fifth year and her sister, Jamie, in second. "Kaily had to be restrained, she tried to attack the Slytherins but Jamie seemed fine once see heard that both of her parents were alive."
"How did you learn to fight so well."
Hermione nearly jumped at Moody's gruff voice, he had hardly spoken to her after they had been introduced. Knowing he meant real fighting and not dueling, Hermione decided to answer him as truthfully as she could. "Back home in Africa it was common for the tribes to have wars, I just happened to be dragged into a few of them."
There was another grunt then, "You should come by the Ministry some time we have a suitable dueling room and I would be interested in seeing how well you can duel one on one."
"I appreciate your offer, it would be delightful." Hermione couldn't be sure but she thought she heard a snort coming from Shacklebolt.
"I'll send an owl later with the details. Albus is ready to begin."
Just then Dumbledore's voice rose above the others in the room, "Please take your seats."
Hermione nodded to Moody in agreement to the owl and found her seat which next to none other then Molly Weasley, a young Molly Weasley.
Dumbledore waited for everyone to take their seats before launching into his opening speech, "First I would like to thank all of those that were able to answer the emergency call and help protect the Benards. Neither died thanks to the quick action. I feel that you should know the truth about the rumors going around but remember tell no others. Minister Hankel is indeed sick," Dumbledore paused as the gasps and moans filled the air, "The healers are saying he has less then a year left. I need you all to keep your ears open on who the candidates may be. Now moving on to more pressing issues, Mortimer what do you have on Voldemort?"
Mortimer Roader, the order's spy on the Dark Lord stood up, "There is talk about attacking one of the muggle villages near London but which one is currently unknown to me. The failed attempt on the Benards sent the Dark Lord into a rage and he killed four muggle prisoners and the two aurors." The aurors present flinched, they hated hearing about dead comrades.
The meeting went on, Hermione simply listening and only adding her opinion when it was asked for. If she had looked around she would have caught the thoughtful looks sent her way as she gave smart and tactile replies but her mind was only on what was being said and if she cared to admit it, Sirius.
Nearly two hours later the meeting finally came to a close. Back at the school Dumbledore silently motioned for her to follow him. The walk to the Headmaster's office was silent, the portraits all snoring soundly.
Once in the office and sitting down Dumbledore spoke, "I have managed to get the diary and no I will not tell you how I did." Dumbledore waved off her unspoken question. "But alas I find myself with a problem. You said Harry destroyed the diary with a fang from a Basilisk. I find myself short a fang and do not know where the chamber is so that I can retrieve one."
Hermione's mind went into overdrive. Each Horcrux they destroyed had a spell used on it that worked with the item they were in. Finally, "A diary is filled with paper, right. So flames would burn it."
"I tried that."
"What about a dragon. The fire that comes from a dragon is hot and has magic in it. Combined with an extracting spell and hmm," Hermione paused, lost in thought. "A suffocating spell when the soul comes outs out of the diary?"
Dumbledore nodded, eyes twinkling. "It might work. I'll see to it. Getting a dragon might be a little difficult but no worries. Thank you for your time, Hermione."
"Of course professor." Hermione let herself out. The walk to her room was long giving Hermione time to go over her day. Pranks, classes, meetings and more meetings. She liked it though she knew it would have been much better if snogging Sirius had been in it.
A/N: Another chapter done, whew. I started another story. Anytime I started thinking of this one ideas for a different story popped up so I finally wrote it and managed to finish this chapter
Review please.
