Chapter 25: Pranks and Plotting
Sirius let out an obscene noise and Peter squeaked. "That piece of… James, mate we've got to get them for-" He paused.
"Oh, I guess you want to play it cool for a bit longer, get a bit on Evans' good side…" He said with a sigh, looking dejected at the thought.
Gideon eyed James shrewdly.
"We're planning a little payback for those slimy gits." He said after a pause. Remus looked aghast. "I don't think-Professor McGonagall wouldn't like-James!" He sputtered, looking desperately at his friend.
"Think of what Lily would say? After all the progress you've made are you just going to throw yourself into another bad situation?" He cried.
He turned to Peter for support. "Right Peter?" The small boy fidgeted and didn't say anything, but turned to look at Sirius for help.
"What's it going to be Potter?" Asked Fabian. "You in on this, or you out?"
The whole time, James had not said anything.
Sirius waved a hand in front of his face. "Oi, oiii… goodness he's gone!" He cried dramatically.
Fabian looked at Gideon sadly. "I guess he's not in Gideon…" He grumbled. Fabian clapped a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Well, there's always Longbott-"
"I propose a prank. Us against them."
They all stared at James in surprise.
Remus's mouth opened and closed but no sound came out. James twitched. "What are those looks for?" He asked indignantly. "Did you really think that I, the James Potter would pass up a prime opportunity to embarrass a few Slytherins?"
The twins roared with delight and clapped him on the back. Remus sighed and put a hand on his forehead.
"I should have known…" He groaned.
James grinned. "Cheer up mate, you'll feel better once you pour some shrivelrig root juice onto their heads."
"Are you sure you're okay with this?" Remus looked serious. "Lily's going to be angry you know."
James laughed bracingly. "Well, a good long Christmas break should be enough for her to cool down… Now let's get to planning this!" They all huddled in a circle around a piece of parchment and after a moment, Remus joined in as well.
For the next few weeks, the Marauders planned the upcoming Slytherin prank with avid intensity. Even Remus had thrown off his early doubts and had included several key additions to the plan.
The four boys frequently met with their co-conspirators in between classes to discuss the finer details of the prank.
"Oh this'll be memorable alright." Fabian commented one afternoon. "I agree." Gideon said with a smirk. "Can't wait to see Lucius Malfoy's face when we get him."
The second year Gryffindors's had Charms next, so they left the twins laughing to themselves and made their way to Flitwick's classroom. On their way, they noticed a group of older Slytherins lurking in a corner of the hallway.
"Wonder what they're up to?" Sirius muttered under his breath. James shrugged and adjusted his bag. "Who knows? But they don't have a clue what we've got in store for them." He winked.
"Aguamenti!" Alice yelled for the fifth time that day. "Aguamenti, Aguamenti, Agua-why won't it work?!"
She swung her arm dangerously close to Professor Flitwick's face.
Lily sighed. "You're doing it wrong Alice, it's a light jab not a swing. Here let me show you." She cleared her throat.
"Aguamenti." She lightly jabbed her wand at the empty vase in front of her, and it soon filled up with clear water.
"I guess I'm just not as good as you." Alice pouted. Lily chortled. "What's with the depressed look?" She leaned closer. "I bet Frank's watching you right now and wondering-"
She laughed as Alice sat bolt upright in her seat and began jabbing her wand with newfound vigor at her empty vase, although it persisted in remaining empty.
Meanwhile, Lily leaned back in her seat and sighed.
It had been an incredibly dull week leading up to the Quidditch season opener, as she and the other Gryffindors were squashed under a pile of homework each night.
"Professor Meriweather seemed really uptight today." She commented. Alice threw her wand on the table and sighed in defeat. "Yeah I noticed that too. He's really in danger of growing white hairs before he gets to middle age."
Lily laughed at her friend when something caught her ear.
"-and the twins will meet Peter in the fourth floor bathroom, while we sneak into the kitchens and get some more-" The owner of the voice shut up when he noticed Lily's inquisitive stare.
James ruffled his hair and grinned at her. She rolled her eyes and turned back to Alice. "Sounds like they're up to no good again." She said disapprovingly.
Alice patted Lily on the head. "They're the Marauders Lily, since when are they up to something good?" Lily groaned and brushed off Alice's hand. "I hope they don't start a fight with Slytherin over some dumb prank." She muttered. The bell rang.
Lily noticed Alice eyeing Frank as he collected his books. "I'll go on ahead." She whispered with a wink. Alice's cheeks reddened slightly, but she nodded and made her way over to the boy.
Lily followed the crowd of students out of the corridor and into the Great Hall. Some students were going back to their dormitories before dinner while others decided to go straight to the food.
As Lily passed by all the commotion, something caught her eye. It was Severus. She smiled and began to walk towards his figure when he suddenly joined with three other Slytherins and disappeared in a classroom.
When Lily checked inside, no one was there.