Author's Note: I'm going to update this in groups of ten chapters or so. So as of this point (August 24, 2014 at 2:45 EST) this chapter and earlier is all revised. There are thirty-something chapters to do in total, so I figured this would be easiest. I'm under a LOT of personal stress right now with life and this is how I calm down. Thanks for your love and patience!

Chapter 10: Extra-Currecular Activity
Monday, September 13, 1977

We made plans before bed last night to get together after Transfigurations today to teach me the Patronus Charm. Sirius said it's a great way to distract Remus on those random occasions that he turns before they transform themselves. I wouldn't be in that situation, but it's great to know because of the war. Not to mention it would look really good during my N.E.W.T.s.

Here we are, Monday morning. And I've been neglecting my duties. James and I were supposed to talk to Sirius yesterday morning about New Year's and I was supposed to write my mum warning her.

Um... whoops. So I made it a point to wake up a little early today to knock out one of those.

Dearest Mum,

James likes the idea of New Year's! He just brought up a point that I forgot about. His best mate, Sirius, lives with him and his mum, you see. We feel bad thinking about leaving him behind, so we were hoping it would be okay to bring him along, too. He's a great guy, although he can be a little crass at times. But that just means Dad will love him.

Had another run-in with Severus yesterday. I thought the friendship could be saved, but it really doesn't appear like that will happen. He really whipped me good during the Dueling Club, but I think it was partially because he didn't like how I am dating James (they well... for lack of better terms they don't even like how they have to share the same air supply). C'est la vie, right? Move on!

I have to get ready for breakfast, then it's off to my Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Then Potions, lunch, Ancient Runes (think of it like Tuney taking Latin, but with funny symbols), then Transfigurations. After that the guys want to teach me a pretty tough charm called the Patronus Charm. It's a defensive charm that can ward off some creatures and/or act as a decoy (it takes the shape of an animal). I'll keep you posted there!

I love you so much! Miss you! Can't wait until I can see you again!

Lots of love,
Lily

PS: Don't forget to give 'Nola her treat! She almost bit me when she returned and she only does that when she doesn't get a treat. So don't try to lie to me!

I folded it and sealed it, gave Magnolia her treat, and handed her the letter. She knew what to do there. Then I took a quick shower, dried my hair, and put on my robes, ready to start the day.

Didn't expect to see James dressed and laying on my bed, arms behind his head. "Morning," was all he said through his grin.

I laughed and shook my head. "Morning, love." I sat next to him on the bed, kissing him. "I wrote my mum," I said when I broke the kiss.

"About New Year's?" he asked.

"Yup. I all but said, 'Sirius is coming.' If anything, he can be a dog around them."

James laughed. "Yeah, he'd love that," he said sarcastically before he kissed me again. "Breakfast?"

I nodded and we left.

Appropriately enough, we were talking about Dementors and Lethifold in Defense Against the Dark Arts, the two creatures that can only be warded off by a Patronus Charm.

[SB] - Sorry I yoinked your notebook, but have to say this: OH, THE IRONY.

[LE] - I think it's a sign that we are meant to do this tonight.

[SB] - I think so, too!

[JP] - I had a hard time containing myself when Robertson said that "the Patronus is difficult to learn, especially a full-bodied one, which is required for Dementors and Lethifold." If only he knew...

[MM] - If only he knew what?

[RL] - You want in?

[MM] - Of course.

[SB] - Private party.

[DM] - You used the book.

[EV] - Yup. Book is open invitation. Use parchment for private parties.

[LE] - Em's right. Book is open invitation.

[PP] - We have to teach it to FOUR people now? It's hard enough to teach one!

[DM] - Teach what?

[LE] - They all have top marks in Defense AND Charms. I think they can handle it.

[DM] - Handle what?

[MM] - Don't leave us hanging!

[JP] - We're planning to teach the Patronus Charm to Lily after Transfiguration. If you think you can handle it, come along.

[EV] - You can do one!?

[SB] - Obviously, since we're teaching her.

[DM] - All four of you?

[PP] - You seem skeptical.

[DM] - It's a bloody PATRONUS CHARM. Of course I'm skeptical.

[MM] - They can. I've seen it. Corporeal ones, too.

[DM] - Still have to see to believe.

[SB] - Then come.

[LE] - Robertson is getting suspicious. Hiding the evidence!

I stashed the notebook back in my bag before Robertson decided to act on his suspicions. I finished my notes and packed up as we were given our instructions for homework ("Write three feet of parchment comparing Dementors and Lethifold, due Friday"). We all started towards the dungeons together.

"So you weren't pulling my leg about the Patronus Charm?" Dorcas asked Sirius.

"No. We got bored one day and wanted to see if we could do it. Apparently, we can," he answered.

"We'll see them cast one later," I told her. "Right now I'm worried what torture Slug has us in for today."

"It better be good. Every class we've had a practical in we've ended up zombies by dinner," Sirius moaned.

We were now in Transfiguration, completely normal and awake without any assistance from a potion. Runes went smoothly, too.

Nothing was more beautiful than the words "Pepperup Potion" on Slug's blackboard. We all have a flask of it to hold on to since the weather is cooling off and cold season is upon us.

Also was told to meet in Slughorn's office Friday evening for "Slug Club." Fabulous.

Dorcas leaned towards me, "Why are we doing 'Lapifors,' again?"

"I think McGonagall gets a kick out of it," I answered, holding the fluffy, white rabbit in my arms that was, until about thirty seconds ago, a broken pocket watch. I was looking around the room at all the students chasing their escaped rabbits (or in some cases, partial rabbits - one of the loose rabbits was really a book with rabbit feet). It was very amusing. Dorcas was stroking her spotted one on her desk.

"I think you're right," James said, standing behind me and holding a large black rabbit himself.

We all looked at McGonagall, who was leaning against her desk, her lips held together tightly so the laugh they're suppressing wouldn't escape.

"Why is mine so fluffy?" Sirius asked. What was sitting currently on his desk looked like a cotton ball with ears and a nose.

"What did you use?" Marlene asked him, hers perched on her shoulder.

"A pin cushion, actually," he replied, staring at the fluffy rabbit hoping around his desk. He had his arms rested on his desk as a barrier.

"I'm getting attached to mine!" Emmeline said, snuggling her rust colored one. "I don't want to turn it back into a pipe."

Remus was holding his spotted one in one arm, but he walked up with Peter. He was helping him catch his grey one but it seemed like they needed a minute's rest. "Isn't this a spell we did a few years ago?" he asked.

"Yup. I think I've 'learned' it four times," Dorcas said. "I'm with Lily. I think McGonagall gets enjoyment out of all the rabbits or the students trying to catch the rabbits."

"Really wouldn't shock me," Remus said.

That's when McGonagall instructed us to return the rabbits to their original form, return the miscellaneous objects to the bin for later use, and dismissed us.

"So where are we going to practice?" I asked James.

"You'll see," he replied, then lowered his voice. "I told Sirius about New Year's. He's cool with it. I think he's actually excited about it."

"Awesome," I replied.

"And I warned him about your parent's fascination with magic," he added.

"Yeah... I'll be sure to make sure they stay in line," I laughed.

"So, are we going to be getting together every day until we learn this?" Marlene asked.

"Every day before dinner," Sirius answered, a grin on his face. "You four will learn this by Halloween if I have anything to do with it."

"And I'm prepared," Remus said, patting his bag.

"Prepared?" Emmeline asked.

"If we need it, you'll find out," he said, grinning.

I looked at all four of the guy's faces. They were all sharing the same grin. "You four are getting some sort of sick pleasure out of this," I told them, trying to hold back my laughter.

"I think it's them enjoying the fact they know an extremely hard charm that we never even thought to attempt," Marlene said.

"And we're basking in our glory while we can," Sirius said, still grinning.

I noticed we were heading to the seventh floor. "Where are we going?" I asked James.

"Again, you'll see," he said, never losing the grin. They were definitely getting some sort of sick pleasure of this.

When we arrived at the seventh floor, we eventually stopped in front of a large tapestry.

"Barnabas the Barmy?" Dorcas said, a little skeptical. "His attempt at teaching trolls ballet is significant because...?"

"It's the perfect landmark," Sirius said. Then he starting pacing while we waited with James, Peter, and Remus. They were still grinning, we were watching Sirius pace back and forth like he lost his marbles.

When he completed his third pass in front of the tapestry, a door appeared on the opposite wall. Dorcas, Marlene, Emmeline and I all gawked.

Sirius opened the door, "You guys coming or what?" he asked, his grin even more smug, if that was even possible.

We all entered the room, and it was massive. Large and open, the perfect space to practice in peace. "What is this place?" I wondered aloud.

"The Room of Requirement, or Come-and-Go Room, whichever you prefer. Becomes what the user needs, all you have to do is picture what you need and pass in front of the wall three times. We found it once on accident running away from Filch. It's Unplottable, too," James answered, squeezing my hand. "Which is why it isn't on the map," he whispered in my ear.

"And I made sure to think about a place we can practice without interruption, so no one else will be able to get in here," Sirius said. "Shall we?"

We all paired up and took out our wands. James took me, Marlene went off with Remus, Emmeline with Peter, and Dorcas with Sirius. We all went to different corners of the room to be free of distraction.

"Now the basis to the spell is easy," James told me, tapping his wand on his hand, "it's the execution that's difficult."

I nodded. I was soaking in every word. I really wanted to do well and to know that I was able to do this.

He held out his wand and looked at me. "You ready?" he said, grinning with pride. I nodded and smiled. He pointed his wand in front of him and said, "Expecto Patronum." A silver stream came out of his wand and flew around us, and took the form of a large stag. It ran around the room, soon being chased by the other's Patronuses, a large dog, a rat, and a wolf. With a flick of his wand, it disappeared. Then he turned to me. "So...?"

"That was amazing..." I said, breathless. I held out my wand. "Teach me."

He laughed softly as he pushed on my wand hand lightly, making me lower it. "Don't need that yet," he said. "First you need to think of a memory. A strong, happy one. Something that pulls all the happiness in you to the surface. The stronger the memory the stronger the Patronus."

I focused on a memory. I had so many. The times my family went on vacation, when I found out I was a witch, my childhood with Sev, my first day at Hogwarts... Eventually I came down to one. I looked at James, "I have one," I told him.

"Okay, focus on it, point, and say, 'Expecto Patronum.' Don't lose the memory, let it take you over."

I focused, pointed my wand, and said, "Expecto Patronum." Silver came from my wand and got pretty bright, but it didn't behave like James's did. I didn't waver, I just kept focusing on the memory. I held it for nearly a full minute before I felt too tired to continue. I dropped my arm and sat on the floor.

James came down next to me, "Are you okay?" he asked, not hiding the concern to his voice.

"I'm fine," I told him. "It just takes a lot out of you."

He chuckled. "Yes, it does." He turned to Remus. "Oi! Toss one my way!" he hollered. Remus reached in his bag and tossed something to James, that he easily caught. I looked at what he was holding.

"Chocolate? Really?" I asked, skeptically.

"Yes," he said, breaking off a piece. "It helps." He handed me a square that I ate. It did, in fact, help a little.

I looked around the room. The other girls were making the same progress as I was. I looked back at James, "I'm ready to go again."

We all continued until dinner. No one got a corporeal Patronus, but we were definitely working up our stamina.

As we were walking to the Great Hall for dinner, James held me back a little. "So," he asked me, "what memory did you focus on?"

I turned to him and smiled. "Classified," I said with a grin, jumping up to kiss him on the nose.

After dinner, we all were in our common room working on homework. By eight o'clock, we were all caught up for our Tuesday classes.

"Wondering," Dorcas said, "can we go back and work some more in the Room of Requirement?"

We all looked around at each other, then all jumped up at the same time. I think we all had the same idea. Peter got to the tapestry first, pacing back and forth three times. When the door appeared, we entered, regrouped and went back to our corners. James leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his face soft.

I began. "Expecto Patronum!"

We continued for almost a hour, my stamina never wavering, but my confidence was. I closed my eyes and thought to myself, Lily, try one more time. You can do this. Just. One. More. Time.

I opened my eyes, focused on my memory, and said, "Expecto Patronum!" with every last ounce of confidence in my body. I WILL do this!

The silver stream came out of my wand and flew about the room. Suddenly the end started to change before my eyes. I kept my focus. I'm doing it! I thought to myself. I saw the others in the room stop and watch. I then realized what my Patronus took the shape of.

It was a doe. A silver doe.

I felt my energy draining quickly, so I broke it off, starting to fall to my knees from a mixture of exhaustion and relief. James caught me.

"I'm so proud of you," he said in my ear, handing me a piece of chocolate.

The others came over to congratulate me as well. We were all chattering and excited.

"I think that's enough for me for tonight," I said with a sigh. "I'm bushed." We all shared a laugh.

James and I were back in the common room, alone on the couch and snuggled under a blanket together. By the time we left the Room of Requirement it was already shortly past curfew, so we utilized the map to get us to our portrait and then Remus kept it to get them back to Gryffindor Tower. Trying to use it without the other three girls seeing was a chore.

"That was amazing, Lily," James told me, kissing my neck.

"Thanks," I said. "It was tough, but I just kept telling myself that I could do it. I still want to practice, though. I don't want to feel so drained afterwards."

"It does get easier, I promise. I can cast it now without even the slightest fatigue."

"Good to know," I said, turning and kissing him. "By the way, you still curious about my memory?"

"Yes, actually."

"The moment you said that you love me, and I realized that I loved you, too."

He held me tighter. "Well, that explains that."

"Explains what?" I laughed.

"The doe. Your Patronus took the form of a doe. Mine's a stag."

"Well, that does explain things, doesn't it?" I kissed him again. "I love you, James Potter."

"I love you, Lily Evans."