Explaining injuries like James's was hard. Especially when he wanted to keep the real story under cover. It required a lot of lying – something Peter was good at. But even then, Madam Pomfrey didn't buy it. After helping James, she set out to inform Professor McGonagall.

"Evans wants to get you expelled? I'll teach Snivellus a lesson," muttered Sirius under his breath. He stood at the foot of James's bed; his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"Padfoot calm down," mumbled Remus, shaking his head.

Sirius glared at Remus and his voice rose two octaves higher, "CALM DOWN?!"

James raised his brows, holding back a chuckle as he said, "Wrong choice of words."

"When McGonagall gets here, you're telling her the truth?" asked Peter, fidgeting with his fingers. He was so confident while lying. But other than that, he was always unsure of himself.

"No," replied James shaking his head. What would he tell McGonagall? He didn't want to seem like a pushover. He could handle it himself. He'd show Snivellus what he could do. James gritted his teeth in frustration.

"NO?!" exclaimed Sirius, narrowing his eyes at James. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO?!"

James opened his mouth to answer, but the door of the infirmary swung open. The tall matron marched inside; her gaze set on Sirius. She seemed to have finally lost her patience with him. James sunk back in his bed.

"Mister Black," cried Madam Pomfrey as she reached the foot of James's bed. She rested her hands on her waist, her thin lips pressed together. "If you can't keep your voice down, please leave."

"Sorry Madam Pomfrey," mumbled Sirius, averting his gaze to the floor. James couldn't help but smile.

"This is the last warning," said Madam Pomfrey, looking at all of the boys. When the boys nodded, her face softened a bit.

With a loud sigh, Sirius continued speaking, "I'll keep it in mind."

Madam Pomfrey threw a last glance at the boys, before making her way out of the infirmary.

Once James was sure she wasn't listening, he straightened up in the bed. "I'm not telling on him and missing an opportunity to get a payback," whispered James, shaking his head.

That seemed to have put Sirius in a better mood. His smirk returned, and James knew he was ransacking his brain for paybacks. But that was interrupted when the doors opened once again. This time McGonagall rushed inside, her hand resting on her heart.

"Potter!" she cried, looking at James's bandaged leg. She looked pale with worry. "What happened?!"

"Uhh – I … fell," lied James, avoiding to look into her eyes. She had the same look as James's mother. He felt horrible for lying to her.

"Fell?" questioned McGonagall, raising her brows. Her piercing gaze was fixed on James. As if, she was giving him a chance to tell her the truth.

James could feel himself sweating under McGonagall's gaze. He stayed glued to his bed. Thinking of an excuse or a way to get out of the situation.

"From where? The astronomy tower?" asked McGonagall, making Sirius snort.

All eyes turned towards him, as he patted his chest. Coughing, he tried to cover his laughter. "Cough," mumbled Sirius, recomposing his face.

"I'm sure Madam Pomfrey would have some cough drops," started McGonagall, shaking her head. "Go ask for some." She turned her attention towards James once more.

"I lost balance on the stairs … and I fell," stuttered James, sinking back into his bed. Peter was better at these things. James chewed on the inside of his cheek.

"If there is something going on, you can tell me," assured McGonagall after a pause. Though her eyes were stern, James could see her brows began to furrow.

"I will Professor, but everything is fine," beamed James shaking his head.

McGonagall looked at Remus, her brows raised. It was as if she was asking him to tell the truth instead. James waited for Remus to speak. Hoping that he wouldn't give the truth away. His heart in his mouth the whole time.

"Yes ma'am," mumbled Remus, shifting from one foot to another.

"Very well then," faltered McGonagall, pushing her glasses back. She fixed her eyes on James as she said, "Take proper rest."

"Yes Professor," said James, giving McGonagall a firm nod.

James was allowed to return to his room later that night. After he had pursued Madam Pomfrey to let him go. He might have thrown in some compliments to flatter her. But in the end, it worked.

"What the hell happened to Peeves?" whispered James, as he noticed the poltergeist. Peeves was blocking the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower. In a glance, he looked depressed – if that was possible – scared even. Then James looked at him again. He looked like he was calculating something. And he payed no heed to James and his friends.

"I reckon it has something to do with Bloody Baron," Peter whispered back. He wasn't looking at Peeves as he continued, "All the ghosts are talking about it."

"At least he looks tolerable," remarked Remus, shrugging.

"Anything but!" scoffed James as he rolled his eyes. If James didn't know better, he might have sympathised with Peeves. "He looks like he planning something."

"Well, he needs to move out of the way," said Sirius, pushing his friends aside. He stood in front of Peeves; his chest puffed out. Looking into Peeves's eyes, Sirius barked an order, "Move."

"Say please," replied Peeves, as he stopped gliding in the air. He had his sinister smirk back. His mean hollow eyes, fixed on Sirius.

"For Merlin's sake," muttered James under his breath. Peeves wasn't all bad, he had sometimes saved them from getting caught during pranks. But when he wanted to harass students, he stepped out of the line. For that, James wanted to knock his teeth off.

"The whole gang is here –" started Peeves, his eyes scanning the boys standing behind Sirius. "Potty, Looney Lupin, Black and Pe –"

"Move Peeves," said Sirius, from between his teeth. His fists were clenched by his sides, as he glared at the poltergeist.

Peeves considered it for a moment and then replied, "No."

Before Sirius could pull out his wand, James caught his hand. Sirius turned around to look at him. "Let me try," whispered James. As Sirius made way for him, James spoke again, "Are you okay Peeves? We heard something happened with The Baron?"

"It was Filch and his ball of fur!" cried Peeves, hiding his face behind his translucent hands. He sniffled, before looking at James.

"Filch?" exclaimed James, raising his brows. He wanted to look surprised. But he reckoned he didn't do a good enough job. Peeves was eyeing him suspiciously.

"I was merely helping him clean the chandelier," started Peeves, rolling his eyes. A smirk played on his lips again, "My hands must've slipped."

"He called The Baron on you?" questioned James, his jaw hanging open. He looked over his shoulder, towards his friends, "Looks like Filch needs to be taught a lesson too."

When Peter and Remus nodded, Peeves seemed to get happier. He looked at James curiously. His smirk turning into a grin, he glided towards James.

James took a step back as he said, "But for that we'll need to get to our rooms first and work on it."

Peeves considered it for a moment, and then stepped aside. Once James mumbled the password, the portrait hole opened. "Let's go," said James, looking over at his friends.

As they made their way inside, James grinned at Peeves, "Thanks Peeves."

The Poltergeist already seemed happy by the idea. As he returned to his usual self, he disappeared from James's view. But James could hear his laughter as the portrait hole closed behind him.

"Brilliant!" exclaimed Peter, clapping his hands together.

James ushered them to the staircase leading to the boys' dormitories. "Let's go upstairs."

Peter and Sirius were completing the final draft of the map. Only a few more touches were needed. James watched in awe. The way they drew was unbelievable. And to think, they stayed up most nights, doing this.

"These should be enough?" asked Remus, handing James a piece of parchment.

James studied the parchment, it had numerous spells written. The boys had decided they wanted to make the map hard to obtain and even harder to read. They wanted to protect it from anyone other than themselves. That is if someone could get their hands on it. James doubted someone could.

"While I was doing that, I also looked into the spells Prongs told me," continued Remus in a low voice.

James's head shot up. "And?" he asked, raising his brows.

Remus gave a shrug as he answered, "Seems like his own creation."

"That greasy git has the brain to do that?" mumbled Sirius, his brows furrowed. He was concentrating on drawing the inside of the Shrieking Shack. His tongue was poking out a bit.

"Looks like it," mumbled Remus, sitting down on the floor beside James.

Peter's head shot up and he let out a sigh. "What's the password going to be?" he asked, looking at his friends.

"It shouldn't be something obvious like our dormitory passwords," replied James, shaking his head. James had given it a thought. Actually, he had given it a lot of thought.

"No two words passwords then?" clarified Peter, putting his quill down. He massaged his wrist absentmindedly.

"How about an oath of mischief?" James questioned back, playing with the corner of the parchment in his hand.

Sirius looked up with a grin, nodding fervently. Peter nodded too, and Remus's eyes glistened as he agreed.

"I solemnly swear – something along those lines," said Remus, looking at James.

"That I'm up to no good?" questioned James, bringing his shoulders closer to his ear. He gauged for his friends' reaction, studying their faces.

"I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good?" beamed Sirius, his mouth hanging open. He tried to contain his smile.

Peter gasped, "Wicked."

"How do you come up with these things so fast?" asked Sirius, running his fingers through his hair. He pushed them back, as he went back to working on the map. The only thing left was to assemble it.

"I've been thinking about these things since we started working on the Map," admitted James with a grin plastered on his face.

"Then, do you have something to hide the contents?" asked Remus, as a smile formed on his lips too.

He did have something in mind. "Mischief Managed?" asked James, more confident this time.

"Brilliant!" exclaimed Remus, nodding his head.

"Let's get to work now, shall we?" asked James, pulling out his wand. He beamed as Sirius handed the assembled map to James.

"There he is," said James, jerking his face in Snivellus's direction. He was sitting under the beech tree near the lake. He was still looking at some odd-looking book. James sensed it was something related to Dark Arts. Seeing as Snivellus tried to cover up, every time someone passed by, James became surer of it.

"Are you sure you remember the spell?" asked Peter, looking at James anxiously.

"Yes," said James with a firm nod. He looked over his shoulder as he continued. "Even if I don't, why does it matter?" He looked back at Snivellus with his nose stuck to the pages of his favourite book. He completed with a shrug, "It ought to do something."

Remus looked at James in bewilderment. His nose crinkled as he said, "Yes, like possibly set him on fire."

"Then I'll put it out," said Sirius, rolling his eyes. When Remus and Peter eyed him suspiciously. Sirius continued in a low voice, "After I'm done laughing."

James snorted, as he gave Sirius a nod. "Let's go," said James, making his way over to Snivellus.

James pointed his wand in the direction of an unsuspecting Snivellus. James spoke in his head loud and clear 'Levicorpus!' … there was a flash of light. And Snivellus was hoisted up by his ankles in the air. His book slipped out of his grip as he looked around.

Students around them started pointing towards Snivellus and James. It made James smirk, as he marched up to Snivellus.

"How are you doing Snivelly?" asked James, rumpling up his hair. He kept his wand stead, his eyes fixed on Snivellus.

After many sad attempts, Snivellus managed to whip out his wand. But Sirius was faster than that. "Expelliamus!" said Sirius. And sure enough, Snivellus's wand slipped out of his fingertips. It landed with a soft thud near them.

The audience grew, and they roared with laughter. James scoffed, as he watched Snivellus struggle. The anger in him seemed to melt away when he looked at Snivellus struggling that way.

"Put me down … right now…" choked out Snivellus. His face was turning red with anger.

"Alright," sighed James, and withdrew his wand.

Snivellus landed on the ground with a loud thud. It seemed to make the students laugh harder. Snivellus tried to get up on his feet, pulling his robe closer to himself.

James smirked, pointing his wand at Snivellus again. Once again, he spoke in his mind, 'Levicorpus!' … with a flash of light, Snivellus was back in the air again.

James laughed along with the rest of the audience. "Did you really think it was going to be so easy?" asked James, smirking.

"What's that spell you are using Potter?" asked someone from the audience.

James puffed out his chest and lifted his head. Once again, he let go of Snivellus. This time, he grinned and turned to his audience. "I'll demonstrate properly, gather around."

People started pushing each other to get a closer look at James. Who couldn't stop but scoff, as he turned towards Snivellus. "Are you ready Snivellus?" asked James, as Snivellus barely managed to get back on his feet. "Levicorpus!"

The student body rolled with laughter, as Snivellus flailed his arms in the air.

James felt a lot better after putting that demonstration for students. He couldn't help but smile – even during the class. He was supposed to take notes in McGonagall's class. Yet, here he was, scribbling L.E. all over his parchment.

"Are you still pining over her?" whispered Sirius, making James jump.

"No," said James, covering his parchment with his hands.

Sirius pushed James's hands away from his parchment. He pulled the parchment on his desk. "Then what is this?" asked Sirius, eyeing the L.E. written all over James's parchment.

James could feel his cheeks burning up. As he bowed his head, he mumbled, "A habit."

"L.E.?! Writing L.E. is a habit?" asked Sirius, narrowing his eyes at James. He handed James his parchment back.

"It's not a big deal Padfoot," said James, as he folded the parchment in half. He hid the parchment in his book.

"Mate –" started Sirius, inching closer towards James.

"Mister Potter, Mister Black," boomed McGonagall's voice across the classroom. James and Sirius looked up reluctantly, as McGonagall crossed her hands in front of her chest. She pressed her lips together and said, "I reckon you both would benefit from some distance."

"What? Why?" cried Sirius, throwing his hands in the air.

There were a few chuckles in the classroom. But that died down once McGonagall turned her gaze to the students chuckling.

"Switch seats with Mister Mulciber, Mister Black," instructed McGonagall, looking at Sirius.

Sirius's nose crinkled, as he looked at Mulciber. "No!" cried Sirius, shaking his head.

McGonagall raised her brows, her thin lips pursed together.

"I'll stay quiet," mumbled Sirius, his brows furrowed. He looked at McGonagall with his eyes pleading.

It seemed to have worked. McGonagall turned back to her desk, as she said, "This is the last warning then."

Instead of writing this time, James had his head in his hands. Discreetly, he glanced in Evans's direction. Then, he couldn't look away. He knew it shouldn't be this away. Especially after their last conversation, where she threatened him. But his heart was beating fast, and he felt giddy. All she was doing was taking notes, then why couldn't James look away.

Somehow, James was able to tear his gaze from Evans. "Am I crazy?!" exclaimed James, screwing his eyes shut.

"Because you keep looking her way?" whispered Sirius. He was looking straight ahead. His eyes were fixed on the chalkboard. His hands furiously took down the notes. He continued, "Yes."

"What is it about her?" groaned James, pushing his hair back. He took a deep breath.

Sirius scoffed, and then recomposed his face. He replied, "Believe me, I'm asking myself the same question."

"This is insane!" cried James, as he dropped his head on the table.

Watching almost everyone using Levicorpus in the corridors was hilarious. No one could step out in the corridor without getting hoisted up in the air. Of course, no one attempted that on the Marauders. But James laughed every time he saw that spell being used.

"We really shouldn't have opened that can of worms," said James, as he laughed. A Hufflepuff boy was hoisted up in the air in the courtyard.

Sirius draped his arm around James's shoulder as he spoke, "We? It was all you Prongs."

"I reckon –" Peter started and then there was a loud thud after a few seconds.

The other three boys turned around at the same time. "Peter!" exclaimed James, as Peter turned over on his back. He was holding his right wrist, as he tried to pick himself up from the ground.

In the background, James saw Bertram Aubrey and his friends snickering. James pulled out his wand, as did Sirius.

"I'm okay," assured Peter, as he finally got back on his feet. "Ow –"

"Is it broken?" asked Remus, taking Sirius's right wrist in his hand.

"I think so," mumbled Peter, his face twisted in pain. He let out a groan, as Remus picked up his bag.

"Which one of you did that?" asked James from between his teeth.

"Why are your trousers in a knot Potter?" Bertram questioned back. He took a few steps closer to James, smirking, "We were having fun."

"Fun?!" bellowed James, raising his brows.

Aubrey looked over James's shoulder. His gaze fixed on Peter, as he asked, "Did you mind Pettigrew?"

"I … uh…" stuttered Peter.

Was he bullying Peter? Was this not the first time? The thought alone made James angry. He clenched his fists by his side, and gritted his teeth. He glared at Aubrey.

"Yes, he did!" yelled Sirius, stepping next to James.

"Padfoot, he's uh… in my ancient runes class…" whispered Peter in a wobbly voice.

Sirius whipped his head towards Peter. His brows furrowed as he asked, "And?"

"You think only you can have fun with Snivellus?" asked Aubrey, fixing his gaze on James. His smirk had turned into a sneer.

"No, we don't think we can only have fun with Snivellus," started James, narrowing his eyes. He shook his head.

Sirius scoffed and finished what James wanted to say. "We can have fun with you too, Aubrey."

James and Sirius raised their wands at the same time. "Engorgio skullus!" the boys said in unison. Aubrey's head looked like a balloon, with air being filled in it.

Sirius and James turned towards each other, grinning. "That was mental!" exclaimed James, giving Sirius a fist bump.

"Like you read my mind!" agreed Sirius, nodding his head fervently.

"Mate –" James could hear Remus's voice in the distance.

Sirius and James turned towards Aubrey's friends. Sirius pointed his wand at them, as he asked, "Anyone else wants to have fun?"

"What is going here?!" Professor Flitwick's voice made James freeze in his spot. Reluctant at first, James turned around as the tiny teacher made his way to them.

"Mister Aubrey!" exclaimed Professor Flitwick, almost falling back. He opened and closed his mouth several times, like a fish.

After sending Aubrey with Professor Slughorn, and Peter with Remus; Professor Flitwick dispersed the crowd. At last, he turned his attention and wrath towards Sirius and James.

"Follow me Mister Potter and Mister Black," instructed Professor Flitwick through his teeth.

He kept speaking the whole time as they made way to Professor McGonagall. After a few minutes, James tuned him out. But he still caught a few words. Words like, "Disappointed." "Immoral." "Illegal."

It was easy enough to keep up with Professor Flitwick. James wondered if Sirius and he would get expelled for this. The hex was illegal. Even if they were, hopefully Peter won't be bullied after that.

"Professor McGonagall?" said Professor Flitwick as they made way inside her office.

McGonagall was marking students' assignments on her desk. She didn't look up. "Yes Filius," said McGonagall, putting her quill down.

"Potter? Black?" whispered McGonagall, getting up from her desk.

James had already averted his eyes towards the ground. "These students used Illegal growth hex on a fellow student," informed Professor Flitwick, as he pointed towards the Sirius and James.

"Illegal growth hex?!" cried McGonagall. James heard her pause, which was never a good sign. "Which student?!"

"Bertram Aubrey," replied Professor Flitwick.

"Where is he?!"

"Sent to Madam Pomfrey, Professor Slughorn would also attend to him."

"Thank you, Professor Flitwick."

Once Flitwick shut the door, James waited for expulsion. He swallowed hard, waiting for McGonagall to unleash her wrath on them. He could feel his palms sweating.

"What were you thinking?!" McGonagall's voice made the boys jump.

James looked up, to meet McGonagall's bewildered eyes. He somehow managed to sound stern, "He was bullying Peter."

"If a fellow student is being bullied, you ought to report it to the teachers. Not take the matters into your own hands!" cried McGonagall, as she rubbed her temples.

"But the bullies can take the matter into their hands and start the bullying?" questioned Sirius in a low voice.

McGonagall dropped her hands to her side, "Silence Black." She clasped her hands in front of her torso, as she continued, "This is illegal! Are you both determined on getting expelled?!"

She was glaring at both the boys. "First following Mister Lupin to the Whomping Willow, now this?!" McGonagall continued without stopping to take a breath. She pointed her wand towards James's chest as she said, "I can take away that badge from you Potter, you know that?"

James's eyes grew wide, and his mouth hung open. Not his badge! He wanted to burst into tears. Not only had he worked especially hard for it. It was his pride.

"How are Illegal hexes dealt with Professor?" asked Sirius after a long pause.

"I'll be taking 100 points each from you," replied McGonagall in a heartbeat. She dropped her hand to her side. "And you'll be serving detention."

"100 points each?!" cried James, his brows furrowed.

"With detention? That's harsh!" added Sirius, making James nod.

McGonagall recomposed her face, and replied, "Double detention."

James and Sirius gasped. "Who will we be serving detention with?" asked Sirius. He didn't seem to be scared of her at all.

McGonagall gave it a thought. Then she replied, "Hagrid and Me."

She cleared her throat, and took a deep breath, "Let me make myself clear to you both, you are never going to use Illegal hexes." When neither Sirius nor James said anything, she walked back to her desk. "If I catch you both doing something like this again, you'll be onboard Hogwarts Express the same evening."

"Technically, it was Professor Flitwick who caught us," started Sirius, pointing at the closed door. James elbowed Sirius in the ribs when McGonagall's eyes widened, as she turned back towards them.

McGonagall's face had turned red with anger. She spoke from between her teeth, "Get out."

Sirius and James struggled to open the door, as they tumbled out of McGonagall's office. James whispered a "Yes Professor," before darting out of her office behind Sirius.

A/N: Hey Readers,

Thank you so much for such wonderful reviews. It really makes my day! You guys are the sweetest. I hope you continue liking the story and support it till the end. Once again, Thank you so much. You people probably have no idea how much it means to me!

-JT