THE WAIT IS OVER!
Here it is! Finally! *dabs at eyes with tissue* I find this chapter to be highly sentimental- it's incredibly long though, some bonuses snuck in here and there.
Enjoy!
James was trying and failing not to laugh.
It was bubbling up inside him like hot water in a screeching kettle threatening to overflow.
Sirius looked defensive from his sloth like perch on his four poster, just across from James.
James would have been hurt, if he wasn't so amused.
Remus was lingering near them, not standing but not sitting either- leaning instead, against Sirius's bed post, analyzing the situation carefully.
James couldn't take it anymore, a snort escaped him.
That was all it took.
Both Remus and James took that snort as a green light and began laughing heartily.
"H-honestly Sirius, you couldn't draw to save your ruddy life!" James choked, straightening up and beaming at Sirius, to show that the tease was playful and had come in peace.
Sirius's drawing was held in James's slack grasp, signed with a deft signature, the kind that nobody could ever decipher.
"I already told him that drawing wasn't for him," Remus said, clapping Sirius consolingly on the shoulder and giving him a rare smirk.
Sirius just grunted, looking down at his shoes, but his annoyance and gruffness was badly faked.
James squinted at the doodle again, adjusting his glasses and staring hard.
"Is that a skunk on her head? A dead skunk?"
Sirius made an odd sound, like a dog being stepped on or a bagpipe with a hole in it.
Remus just chuckled, and shook his head.
James, ignoring the two's odd behavior, didn't wait for an answer and just mumbled under his breath "It's definitely a dead skunk" before adding aloud.
"Where's Peter? He hasn't been creeping around the girls' dorms again while I've been off meeting my girlfriend's parents, has he?"
Remus, who had been busy patting an uncharacteristically hysterical Sirius's shoulder (who was muttering under his breath; "It's her bloody hair!") was the first to answer him.
"He's hiding, I think."
James gave him a bemused look.
"Hiding?"
"Yes, from Willa. He drew on her face when she was asleep- a mustache no less."
James grimaced, feeling ocean deep sympathy for the poor, watery eyed boy.
He ran through all the things that could have happened to his friend- it was like an awful movie that you just couldn't stop watching, that, or road kill- you didn't want to look, but you did all the same.
Would they even be able to recognize his body after she was done with him?
"Peter Pettigrew will live on forever in our memories," James said, putting on his best mournful voice and struggling to keep his face straight.
Remus, who was more adept at acting solemn, nodded slowly.
"How're we going to break it to his mother?"
"There'll be no consoling the poor woman."
"Unless, maybe Willa went easy on him?" Sirius offered up hopefully. "You know, only broke two of his limbs and let him crawl off?"
The three scrutinized each other fiercely, chewing over this possibility.
"Nah," they all said simultaneously, nodding wisely.
Then; "Jinx! You owe me a butter beer!" Sirius cried, back to his usual, hyperactive self, arrogance intact after all- the drawing forgotten... or so it seemed.
The beginnings of spring coaxed the sun back out from behind the clouds, but, even though it was back in the sky, it couldn't make up its mind.
Some days it shone and baked the forbidden forest, others the clouds over took the light and drizzled dismally.
My eighteenth birthday had passed by now- with lots of jokes from Sirius about James dating an "older woman" as his birthday's a month after mine- it's also already been.
Sirius got soaked in butterbeer for that comment, which made him think twice the next time he opened his mouth- the stickiness would remind him to monitor his tongue that's for sure.
I gave James a pair of Quidditch gloves, trying to not turn the color of my hair for his birthday.
We've been through so much together already and I'm still a flustered idiot around him.
Usually, sentimental moments between us, in front of others that is, end with me stepping on his foot or stealing his glasses.
The first week after the whole Petunia episode (James calls it "The Ordeal") he was constant in his reassurances, his grins were exclusively for me and his jokes were told for my sake.
I got the feeling, that if I didn't laugh, no matter if everyone else was in stitches, he wouldn't feel satisfied with himself, like the joke would be meaningless.
I recovered rapidly, because he was cute when he was trying hard.
It was the middle of May now and the air was caked with nerves.
Exam month was approaching.
By now it was excruciatingly boring for us seventh years, not even the sight of some fifth years breathing into paper bags and revising until their eyes couldn't stay still, even when they weren't reading, didn't make the experience any more amusing.
Well, it still entertained Sirius and James, and, even though I knew the latter was trying extremely hard to pull his smirk into a neutral face and to swallow his laughter, it didn't lessen my feelings towards him.
Sometimes, I just lay back at night, listening to the soft, smooth breathing of my dorm mates sleeping soundly, their minds blank as newly cleaned chalk boards, letting my head soak in thoughts, letting it simmer until it was well over cooked.
I let my mind grab me by the wrist and run off with me, like that day with James on his broom.
My imagination would fly off into the distance, dipping, twisting and swirling wildly in all directions, through damp clouds and into the blinding light of the sun.
Fantasies of James, of houses, dirty dishes and warm crackling fires.
Of days spent with my head on his shoulder, playing word games just so I could hear his voice rumble in his throat, because we'd run out of things to talk about.
Thoughts of how beautifully mad this all was-us and these odd fuzzy longings that would chase me all day, just as persistently as the memories.
I wondered briefly if this was how it was for Alice or even Willa.
Then there was the nostalgia; it was like a dedicated stalker- but unlike an actual stalker, it was welcomed.
Exam month, June- the oncoming dry summer, would ultimately mark the end of schooling- the end of not-knowing.
Somehow I didn't want to know.
Not anymore.
I just wanted to curl up with James, with everyone else chattering away, their voices bubbling away and joking in the background, with the common room fire flickering familiarly at us- and just focus on him.
And Alice, Willa, Remus and Wormy.
On homework and what I was going to have for breakfast.
On evening watch with Filch.
On telling Sirius off for locking Severus in the girls' bathroom with Moaning Myrtle.
I wanted to suspend myself in the here and now, stop time with James's arm draped over my shoulder casually; trying not to laugh as I levitated his glasses off his nose with my wand.
But, although I felt like clinging onto the desk chairs in my transfiguration classroom and never letting go, even if people tried to forcefully remove me, there was a part of me that wanted to brush a hand over them fondly before turning briskly and walking out.
Down past doors that are only door knobs stuck to walls, past freakishly tiny first years, past the great hall and house point hour glasses and out the front doors.
I won't look back as I stride purposely down to Hogsmeade, because this part of me, this sliver of reason, wants to tear the curtains off the Daily Prophet articles, to expose the nuggets of truth embedded in their words.
A part of me is willing to leave.
I'm not yet emotionally ready to say good bye just yet though, not to my first year self and not to ignorance- but I can't stay eleven forever.
No matter how much I wish I could, even if I squeeze my eyes shut and cross both my fingers until my knuckles turn white, my half-hearted longings will just be whipped away by the wind, like a dandelion weed.
After all, I can't stay eleven forever.
*JUNE 2nd, 1978*
Professor McGonagall would always get sentimental when it came to these meetings.
Where it meant the beginning of freedom and independence for her students, it just meant another incoming spate of goodbyes for her.
They were all crowded into the common room now, sitting casually before her, on the floor and arms of the sofas and armchairs, chatting and laughing easily.
Their demeanors were breezy and free.
It was almost impossible for Professor McGonagall to imagine them as the white faced first years they had once been, squished into the small side room, their innocent eyes wide and anxious.
There was Sirius Black, trying to act indifferent and suave as he talked hesitantly to Willa Tonks, who, much to Professor McGonagall's surprise, also looked earnest and tentative, as she clutched a scrap of worn parchment he had just slipped her.
Remus Lupin was next to them, looking highly amused, like he was trying not to smirk with knowing.
It was a glad change from the shy, mousy haired boy with patched and frayed clothing that Minerva had seen sorted into her house years before.
Sirius had grown up, even if he was still reckless to the point of idiocy, there was a maturity in there somewhere, next to his wild instincts- Minerva was sure.
Next to them, wedged in between Frank Longbottom and Alice Prewett, was James Potter and Lily Evans, their knees touching and their eyes bright, focused completely on one another.
They might as well have been alone and not in a room filled with their peers.
They were talking like they would never run out of things to say, the air around them warm and calming- content where it used to be strained.
Professor McGonagall almost lost it there, but, steeling herself and snapping inwardly at her emotions to keep a stiff upper lip, she addressed the chattering seventh years.
"We are nearing the end of your final year at Hogwarts-"
Cheers and applause interrupted her here.
She eyed them sternly and it died down rapidly, but the smiles on her students faces were fixed permanently in place.
Clearing her throat she continued.
"I hope, and all your teachers hope, that your years at Hogwarts have treated you well- I expect to see great things from all of you. Yes, you too Peter-" she added, singling the nervous looking youth out, who had squeaked at her last comment.
A wave of harmonious chuckling seeped through the crowd as Sirius Black clapped him on the shoulder with a devilish grin.
"I expect to see you on the morning of the fourteenth to take your graduation photo. There will be a short morning tea and some words from the Headmaster, he wishes to bid you all a proper farewell-" she took a deep breath here; her voice had begun to quiver during the last bit, before continuing.
"Dress appropriately for the photo, full school uniform will be required- nothing less. I expect Gryffindor to be the best at conducting themselves," She shuddered to a halt, peering around at her attentive audience.
She would miss these faces, but they weren't the only group of students she would have to see leave.
There were new groups each year after all.
But, still, a special place was reserved in her for these fresh faced young people.
Blinking back dry tears, she nodded curtly.
"I believe you have time to study before your first N.E.W.T examination. Please make use of the free time."
And with that they were dismissed.
This was probably one of the last times she would say such words to these eighteen year olds.
The next words would hopefully be;
"It's so nice to see you again."
*JUNE 13th, 1978*
Sirius sniggered.
"Oh, I can't wait until tomorrow, I swear, I'm going to laugh myself stupid."
James smirked in response, feeling the thrill of the prank mixed in with his adrenaline.
"I still don't approve of this," Remus remarked dryly from behind him.
All four marauders were hunched under the now curiously small invisibility cloak, shuffling slowly back to the Gryffindor common room, slightly less cautiously than usual.
"You've never approved Moony," James whispered, a laugh burbling under the surface of his answer.
Remus frowned, but his eyes didn't follow through.
"I still say we should have included the girls in this too-" Sirius started, only to be have the sentence sliced roughly in half by Remus.
"No! No blooming way! Drag your mind out of the gutter, why don't you Sirius?"
"My mind isn't in the gutter; I just want to enjoy my second to last day at Hogwarts!"
"It's in the gutter Padfoot," Peter agreed, who felt safer saying such things when he had Remus in front of him- he was a human shield.
Sirius opened his mouth to argue- loudly if you went by the look on his face- but James shhhed him by stepping heavily on his foot and stalling.
"Shut up- I hear foot steps- Wormtail you were supposed to be checking the map!"
Peter's eyes widened and he gave a silent "eep" before scrambling for the ratty piece of parchment.
"Filch!" he mouthed, wrenching it open hurriedly, looking mortified.
They stood stock still as heavy footfalls drew nearer.
Mrs. Norris slunk around the corner, her eyes glowing through the dim light like tiny lanterns, probing the darkness like a lighthouse by the beach- always observant and unwavering in its duty.
Her lamp bright eyes fell on the four statuesqe boys and didn't flinch away, not even for a second.
James felt an incurable urge to step on her tail or something- he was leaving, he could do what he wanted surely?
She gave a loud screechy mew as Filch, puffy eyed, his jowls quivering as usual, rounded the corner, looking hungry for justice- his warped sense of justice that is.
"Are students out of bed, at this hour? On the second to last day- ohhh this is good, my dear, very goo- is that a foot?" he was talking very fast and his eyes seemed to bulge even more as they focused on where the marauders stood, believing they were invisible.
Peter gave a wheezy gasp- but it was too late.
Without realizing it, he had let the cloak at slip off him, until it was hard not to miss him.
James, Remus and Sirius gave him a look of pure horror, the movement of their heads twisting around in his direction only making the situation worse- the silky fabric of the clock slipped.
Peter was now fully visible, clutching the Marauders map in his pudgy hands and looking sweatier and seedier than ever.
"Aha! Out of bed are you? Sneaking around are you?" Filch cried triumphantly, grabbing Peter by the scruff of his neck. "What's this then? Contraband?" he continued, spotting the Marauders map and running a slimy tongue over his dry lips.
With simultaneous pained looks all round, the three watched as the caretaker confiscated their precious map with a cold, sour swipe of the hand.
As Filch continued to bear down ominously on Peter, even after the map was in his grubby fingers, looking like something a Boggart with a sense of humor would produce, Remus had a brain wave.
He slid his wand out of his pocket sneakily and, angling it with nimble fingers, aimed it at a distant set of armor.
There was a loud, resounding bang that had Filch screeching "PEEVES!" at the top of his lungs in a couple of seconds flat.
Immediately, he dropped Peter with an uncaring thud and scuttled off, muttering darkly about "finally having things his way".
Peter looked dazed for a few seconds before being grabbed roughly by the elbow and forced back under the cloak.
Remus and James stared after Filch with a sort of childish indignation.
"Our map…" Remus remarked dully, shoving his wand back into his trouser pocket numbly.
Sirius put a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"It's for the best mate."
"Yeah, we're leaving it for future generations of out-laws," James said, recovering with a warm sense of pride.
And so, they continued on their way, not hollow at the loss of their hard work, but proud, strong senses of accomplishment keeping their good moods alight.
*JUNE 14th, 1978*
"Hold still will you? Honestly Lily, don't you want to look nice?" Willa muttered reprovingly as she braided long locks of my hair, tugging slightly.
I could tell by the shudder of her voice and the clumsy way her fingers plaited that she was emotional.
Everyone was today, even I felt a little tearful.
"Alright, alright mum, I'll stay stock still," I replied with a wide smile.
She swatted at me playfully, shoving my pointed black hat onto my head, affectively ruining her hard work.
"Right, you two ready? We have to be early otherwise they'll forget us!" Alice chimed, hurrying into the room and quickly slipping her feet into a pair of crimson flats and tying her hair up at lightening speed.
She was halfway across the dorm, Willa and I at her heels, before she realized she was still wearing her pajama pants.
We doubled back, throwing amused smirks at one another.
Everyone gathered out in front of steps, milling about and darting over to speak to friends from other houses.
There was laughter, jokes and tears- mixed in with the sound of the giant squid disturbing the water as it peered curiously at us and grasshoppers buzzing- it was the soundtrack of my graduation.
I scanned the crowds and saw that every house was present except Slytherin.
Don't get me wrong, all the girls in their uniform venomous green and silver ties were clumped together- but there weren't any males from the house to be seen.
"'Ello love," came a familiar voice from behind me, an arm snaking around my waist.
I laughed- it came out fresh, just like how I was feeling, before suspicion hit.
"James Potter- do you have anything to do with-"
"I admit nothing, but I suggest you watch closely Tiger Lily."
I eyed him beadily, pursing my lips in a slight frown.
He just grinned secretively, glancing expectantly at his watch.
An explosion of voices rang out suddenly from the entrance hall; making students near it jump with surprise and wheel around.
"What do you mean there're no spare robes!"
"We can't have photos taken like this! Are you mad?"
"Yes, yes I know this isn't ideal at all-"
Professor McGonagall appeared, backing out of the doors, looking flustered.
She was followed by a large group of boxer clad Slytherin boys.
"Nice underwear boys," called Sirius from where he was standing with Remus, looking like he was going to erupt with laughter.
Remus gave him a look, which positively oozed disapproval, but even he was having trouble containing himself.
Laughter rang from all sides, punctured by wolf whistles and cat calls- surprisingly mostly from the Slytherin girls, who seemed to find this turn of events amusing rather than offensive.
Probably because they weren't victims themselves.
The smart ones had put on pajama pants and night gowns, but they seemed to be resisting the urge to itch themselves- while others scratched without care about who was watching.
I tried very hard.
I really did.
"You know this isn't funny," I said, my voice burbling with suppressed amusement, twisting my head around to look at James.
His expression was sheepish, his smile guilt ridden.
"I know, but we had to step over the line- just once. I mean come on, we're leaving- the line was asking to be crossed!"
I couldn't take it anymore- I dodged behind him, letting myself laugh for a few seconds before I forced composure back into my voice.
James couldn't hide the grin on his face- it stretched from ear to ear and was as inconspicuous as the giant squid in a wedding dress.
I gave him a suffering look and pretended to act huffy.
"What? It's funny; even I have a sense of humor!"
James just shook his head, with a look that read; what am I going to do with you?
"No, I was just thinking that maybe we've influenced you a bit too much."
I scoffed and sent him a sly smile.
"Is that suddenly a bad thing?"
"Alrigh', alrigh', scooch in there a bit pink headband! Not you, I meant er'! Igit, you're a bloke! Righ', say 'cornish pixies' everyone!"
"Cornish pixies," we all chorused obediently, giggling immaturely to ourselves at the photographer's choice of words.
The old fashioned, boxy camera flashed, sending a cloud of vivid purple smoke up into the crisp air.
The photographer swore loudly, his face going such a brilliant color of beetroot, that even Tuney's fiancée would have been proud.
"You three, in the back! Stop ruinin' the shot! It's supposed to be a clean, nice photo yeah? A photo yer mumsie would wan' to hang on the wall!" he shrieked, pulling at his already thinning hair.
James and Sirius sniggered and, as if in unison, Remus and I rolled our eyes- but even I couldn't find the resolve to scold them.
Everytime the photographer was getting ready to take the picture, James and Sirius would pull a face and stick their hands behind people's heads, making their fingers into peace signs.
They did it for five attempted photographs straight, until the poor man behind the camera looked like steam was about to pour out of his ears.
"Fine! Do what you like! Ugly faces everyone! I wan' this bloody over with!"
The whole class looked at each other in bemusement, before shrugging and contorting their faces.
I couldn't help but laugh and follow suit, sticking out my tongue and crossing my eyes.
"Cornish pixies!" everyone chimed, their voices lively and festive.
A sixth plume of violet smoke drifted into the air with a sharp pop, chased closely by a blinding flash.
"Now get, the lot of you, before I 'ave a meltdown! You'll get your photos tommorra!"
The class dispersed, laughing and smacking each other on the back as the Slytherins assembled themselves in front of the steps into the castle- most of them were wearing nightgowns they had borrowed from the girls.
They all looked like they had a fowl taste on their tongues, their brows dark and their eyes bitter- excluding the girls that is.
I could hear the faint, aggravated cry of the photographer, snapping at the males as I fell into step beside James.
"Stop lookin' so sheepish! What's with yer attitudes, smile for heaven's sake! Just because yer in yer boxers don't mean you gotta be a lot of sour pusses!"
We headed down to where the Hufflepuffs were chattering comfortably.
They were lingering about under the shade of some trees nearest the lake, throwing toast to the giant squid and strolling down memory lane.
The Professors stood nearby, looking solemn and straight faced as they conversed.
"Hello Professor Mcgonagall," James called, making a beeline her way, taking hold of my hand and steering me after him.
As we got closer we could see that Professor Sprout had been patting her back consolingly and that her eyes were rather red behind her spectacles- or was that a trick of the light?
"Yes, hello Mr. Potter, Miss. Evans- I see Gryffindor was exemplary during the photo."
We sent each other shamefaced grins before turning back to our Professor.
"As, err, headboy and girl, we just want to thank you," James began clumsily before I stepped in.
"It's been a great seven years- thank you Professor."
Mcgonagall looked like she was about to burst into tears- seemingly for the second time today.
"Are you crying Professor?" James blurted. I dug him in the ribs roughly with my elbow, arching a disapproving eyebrow up at him.
"Ow- Lily that hurt!" he laughed before Professor Mcgonagall could respond.
"O-of course not Potter! Don't be ridiculous, I just have awful allergies- haven't I told you? Now off you go- the Slytherins are almost finished."
James shot her his signature, compelling smile and fished a hanky out of his robe pocket, holding it out expectantly and averting his eyes.
McGonagall gave it a long, hard stare, before whipping it out of his open palm. She then twisted around on her heel and hurried off, blowing her nose loudly into it, sounding uncannily like a trumpet as she went.
Professor Sprout gave us a grateful smile and a pat on the shoulder each before following suit.
"That was incredibly gentlemanly of you Potter," I murmured, leaning against him.
"Hey, I'm no longer the barbarian I once was Evans," he answered quietly, pulling me close and lacing his fingers through mine again, slowly and deliberately.
"I suppose not," I agreed, letting my eyes fall shut contentedly, feeling the chilly shade of the tree overhead splay across my face and shoulders.
"Black!" Willa called, dodging around the trickle of students heading towards the trees after the photo.
She flitted past snickers about the Slytherin boys and wistful eyes as groups of two discussed past events.
She flung out a hand and touched Sirius's broad shoulder to catch his attention.
As soon as he turned around, Willa took a long, deep breath, sucking in a huge amount of air before grabbing his tie and wrenching him forward.
There was no space for apprehension in her mind at that point in time, instead she focused on how much she'd wanted to do it- to say it, to get it through his thick skull.
She would, even if she had to drill a hole in it and scream into his ear with a bull horn.
Shrill wolf whistles, catcalls and immature applause burst from those closest and Remus, beaming at the thought of the bet he had on with James, swiftly covered Peter's eyes.
Willa finished kissing Sirius reluctantly, a wily, Cheshire cat smile quirking the corners of her lips upwards.
"I love you Sirius Black," she announced, dropping his tie and planting her hands on her hips, a kind of poise only a girl with an insane amount of confidence could possess.
It singled her out like a spotlight, making her easy to pick out of the crowd.
Needless to say, it was much more affective than a sore thumb.
Sirius's eyes were huge in his head and he had to give himself a very hard mental shake to force himself out of his reverie.
"What-did you just-I-what the-huh?" the words didn't link up at all and Sirius just settled with goggling at her foolishly.
Willa let out a long breathless sigh, stretching out like a cat on a sun warmed rug, her face the picture of relaxation- she seemed oblivious to her eager audience.
"Ahhh you have no idea how good it feels to get that off my chest! Well, see you Sirius!" she exclaimed chirpily, throwing Sirius one last glance, her eyes aglow with relief, before bounding off to where Alice stood, agape.
Sirius stared after her, stunned into an awed silence.
Remus was at his shoulder in the blink of an eye, followed by a befuddled Peter.
He choked back a laugh and a well deserved "I told you so!" and instead remained quiet until Sirius managed to kick a sentence out of his constricted throat.
"You're loving this aren't you?"
Remus lightened up then and let out a gravelly chuckle.
"Yep, I'm very amused- who told you to stop gaping like a fish anyway?"
"Yes, very funny Moony, ha ha, look, see? I'm laughing. But more importantly- was that a hallucination? Brought on by being mad? Because if so, I like being insane."
Remus felt his eyes roll, driven by instinct alone- if Sirius said something stupid, it was Remus's eyes gut-reaction to rotate a full disapproving circle.
"If that was a hallucination, then we're all barking."
Sirius stared at the explosion of caramel hair in the distance and went eerily silent again.
"It was a pretty vivid day-dream."
Remus smacked his forehead in exasperation, counting to ten.
Even Peter looked visibly irked by Sirius's three centimeter thick skull.
TO BE CONTINUED!
They're not exactly done graduating yet- they still have to go out with a bang, remember? This was only phase one!
Anyhoo, thank you for all the AWE INSPIRINGLY AWESOME reviews, favorites and all those other gloriously spontaneous gestures- who doesn't like surprises? :D
Later alligators!