Chapter 36:
As soon as James made it to charms class, he explained to the other marauders what he had overheard. "I think it's time we start operation espionage again," Sirius whispered.
"I think you guys should listen to Bartlet," Peter whispered.
"What?" James and Sirius looked shocked.
"It's not safe," Peter tried to explain.
"When has our safety been our first concern?" Sirius asked.
"I think Sirius is right," Remus frowned, "we need to know what we're up against. We need to know what they plan to do. How they plan to…"
"Kill us?" James offered.
"Er, yeah." Remus shook his head, "this is ridiculous. Dumbledore will put an end to this."
"Hopefully," James thought aloud.
Lily and Snape were sat in the library working on their Transfiguration essays. "Are you going to go watch the Quidditch match Lils?"
"That's the plan. The girls want to go."
"Lily, I'd rather you didn't," Snape said seriously.
"Why?" Lily asked her eyebrow rose above her hairline.
"I can't tell you," Snape frowned.
"You can't or you won't?" Lily whispered angrily.
"I – just don't go to the match," Severus continued.
"Sev, what are you going to do?" Lily asked angrily.
"Nothing. Nothing at all."
"Don't lie to me," Lily said angrily. "Don't lie to me Sev!"
"I'm not. It's nothing big. It's just some people are going to get what's coming to them."
"Who?"
"No one you care about," Severus said.
"I don't care if I care about them. There are plenty of people who probably do."
"No one will miss them," Severus frowned.
"Are you trying to kill them?"
"No, of course not," Severus replied.
"I don't believe you," Lily looked close to tears, "who is it?"
"No one important," Snape answered quietly.
"Who?" Lily demanded.
"Potter and Black," Snape whispered.
"What the hell?" Lily frowned, she was left completely speechless.
James and Sirius were called to the headmaster's office later that day. Dumbledore was sat behind his desk waiting for them. "Hello boys. Come in, come in."
"Yes professor," James said as he took his seat. Sirius sat in the chair next to James.
"Professor Bartlet came to inform me this morning of a conversation he overheard this morning. He also informed me that you, Mr Potter also heard the conversation. I have considered cancelling the match but I'm not sure that that is the answer. I'm guessing it isn't worth my breath, asking you not to play?"
"Yes sir," James smiled.
"Absolute waste of breath," Sirius nodded.
"I see. In that case, I will arrange for the entire staff to be on hand and I will personally attend the match. I'm guessing you have a plan of your own?"
"Not yet," James answered honestly. "We need more information."
"You intend on spying on the Slytherins again?" Albus asked.
The boys nodded.
"I wish I could tell you not to but I have a feeling that it might be necessary. I may even join you," Dumbledore played with his beard. "Can you both return here after curfew?"
"Yes sir," Sirius replied excitedly.
Lily looked around the common room for her least favourite Gryffindors. Lily couldn't see them anywhere. Why is it that they're constantly around annoying me, except when I'm looking for them, Lily thought to herself. She decided to sit by the fire and wait for them. She just had to tell them. She had to warn them. The other Gryffindors were all sat together, "hey Lily," Marlene smiled.
"Where's Potter and Black?"
"Don't know," Remus answered.
"Why'd you care anyway?" Alice asked.
"I just need to speak to them," Lily said quietly.
James and Sirius made their way back to the headmaster's study. They gave the gargoyle on the third floor the password, "Cockroach Cluster." They made their way up the stairs and knocked on the door of the office. "Come in."
The boys made their way into the study. Albus Dumbledore was stood speaking to Professor McGonagall and Professor Bartlet. The portraits of the previous headmasters sat listening to the conversation. "I am the headmaster of this school and I have a responsibility to protect the students of this school."
"Yes but it's dangerous and you sure as hell shouldn't be condoning these two idiots!" Minerva McGonagall said curtly.
"Perhaps," Dumbledore replied, "but we're going to do this my way."
"Yes sir," Minerva blushed.
"You will both patrol the school. You have arranged for the prefects to have the night off?"
"Yes sir," McGonagall answered.
"Very well. We will meet back here in approximately two hours." The two of the professors made their way out of the office. "Now boys, I have reason to believe that the Slytherins are going to be having a bit of a meeting in approximately ten minutes somewhere in the castle."
"We need to find them," James said.
"We will. However, I must lay down a few ground rules. I need you to understand that you are only being allowed to do this because you have a right to know what you are up against. I am allowing this and therefore you are expected to do exactly what I tell you without complaint. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir," both boys nodded.
"Good. Mr Potter, you have a special cloak I believe."
"Yes sir," James replied.
"You and Mr Black will hide under the cloak." James flung the cloak over himself and Sirius as Professor Dumbledore silently cast a charm on himself making himself invisible.
"Wow, sir that is some seriously cool magic. I've never seen such a good disillusionment charm."
"Well actually Mr Black, this is an invisibility spell. Most disillusionment charms aren't this effective. To be fair mine is but I thought the occasion called for the invisibility spell."
"I see sir," Sirius replied.
Dumbledore and the two marauders made their way down the corridors looking for the Slytherins. James walked thinking to himself, I wish the map was ready. This would be so much easier with the map. Dumbledore led them down the stairs until they reached a classroom. James noticed a slight buzzing noise in the air around them, "wait," he whispered.
"What is it James?" Dumbledore asked quietly.
"The buzzing," James answered, "It's Snape's muffilato spell. They're close by."
Dumbledore nodded. They made their way towards a door that stood ajar at the end of the corridor. They entered the room to find the five Slytherin second years gathered together. Dumbledore quickly removed the muffilato charm without the Slytherins knowing with a small nudge of his wand. "If we are going to prove ourselves to the Dark Lord we have to do this," Mulciber said to the other boys.
"Ok, so we just walk onto the pitch and cast a spell on them and watch them fall?" Avery asked, nodding.
"We're not going to attack anyone else? Just Black and Potter, right?"
"Well I was thinking it would be even better if we took advantage of the moment. The older students agree." Macnair commented, "they are going to be scattered amongst the other students; they're planning on hexing a few muggle-borns."
"Are they targeting anyone specific?" Snape asked.
"Quit your yapping about that bloody mud-blood Evans. She's safe." Avery complained.
"For now," Macnair laughed evilly.
"Preston Rowlands – a fourth year Gryffindor," Avery began, "Dorcas Meadowes and Louise Kwan – second year Ravenclaws, Nancy and Dorian Jackson – seventh and fourth year Ravenclaws, their parents were recently killed in that train attack; wouldn't it be great if we got the whole set?"
The Slytherins laughed amongst themselves.
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Next chapter = the Quidditch Match...