A/N: I'm sorry I didn't post last month! I've rewritten this chapter so many times and I'm still not entirely satisfied with the ending but I'm excited to continue on! I will post a bonus chapter sometime this year though...I hope you enjoy this chapter!

10th October – Early morning

Dorea Potter paced the room as she waited for Charlus to return from the emergency session that had been declared in the middle of the night.

As soon as Charlus had stepped through the floo, she asked. "Did the motion go through?"

Charlus Potter nodded tiredly. "A State of Emergency has officially been declared. Only the Most Ancient and Noble Houses will be voting from now."

"Morgana save us! Did Lucius try to remove Septimus from the Wizagonmot again?"

Charlus nodded. "Thank Merlin that was the last time he could petition to remove him. If they hadn't disowned Arthur, I doubt Septimus would have kept his seat."

Dorea smiled sadly. "What about the Prewett seat? Has Molly claimed it yet?"

"Gideon claimed it last night. Molly must have been disowned or abdicated it."

Dorea sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Who has the leading faction now that there's a state of emergency?"

"The Neutrals still have the lead, but Malfoy's faction is growing. They're calling themselves the Dark, no doubt their lord's encouraged them. Dumbledore's still leading the light." Charlus replied.

"What about us? Will we join one of the larger factions?"

Charlus frowned. "What do you think?"

Dorea considered this. "Perhaps we should consider joining the Neutrals dear. I'll floo Callidora and Augusta. The Potters and Longbottoms will stand together after all."

Charlus nodded. "Have you been to Hogwarts yet?"

Dorea took her husband's hands. "I floocalled Slughorn, he's not found an antidote yet but...he said…he said if he doesn't find one in the next few days then..." Dorea's voice shook and she took a deep breath. "He said it would be permanent."

Charlus's body stiffened. "But his mind?"

Dorea nodded, tears falling. "Would be ahead of his physical body forever."

"Merlin no!" Chalrus said, hugging his wife. "I won't let that happen. Not to our son." Charlus ran his hand through his hair. "I was a fool to leave this in Slughorn's hands. I'll start researching and brewing right away dear."

Dorea wiped away her tears. "No Charlus, it's not your fault. We both know we need to focus on the Wizagonmot. If war breaks out…we need to minimise the power this Voldermort would hold over the Wizagonmot."

"But Dorea…" Charlus began. Dorea patted his hand.

"I told Slughorn to find any way to cure him. Slughorn has told you before that Snape is a prodigy. So, I told him to use Snape if he had to or I'd ruin his career and Snape's life."

"Have you Blacks got the dirt on old Sluggy too." Charlus teased.

Dorea rolled her eyes, smiling a little. "Honestly Charlus...you know better than to ask such questions by now." Her eyes narrowed in cold anger. "There's a reason the House of Black is feared and if Sluggy doesn't find a cure for our son... I swear by Morgana and Merlin themselves; I will use every curse I was taught by my father on them."

Charlus felt his magic register Dorea's vow sealing.

10th October

It had been five days since James Potter had shrunk into an eight-year-old and Lily Evans was desperate to have normal Potter back.

Sixteen-year-old Potter, she could handle. She knew that he only complimented her to annoy her. Eight-year-old Potter though, he seemed genuine and he was funny, and she kept on having to casting a stinging hex on herself or bite her lip in order not to laugh. She couldn't encourage him!

Worst of all, Alice's attention had been monopolised by stupid Frank Longbottom and them owling their parents to sort out their marriage contract. Marlene had started silencing her every time she said anything negative about Potter and Lily was ready to scream!

Remus, Peter, and Sirius had all been busy the last few days too. She understood why Remus was busy with the full moon and all (of course she'd figured that out! Who in their right minds wouldn't have worked that out?) but she didn't get why the others were so tired and busy.

Lily Evans had been stuck with James Potter for days and she was so glad it was finally Saturday.

Alice was already up and dressed while Marlene was still fast asleep, her arm blocking the sunlight.

"Happy birthday!" Lily exclaimed as she pulled Alice into a hug.

"Thank you."

"Shh! Too early to be awake." Marlene mumbled.

Lily and Alice exchanged an amused look. "She did give us permission yesterday..." Lily said.

Alice grinned, pointing her wand at Marlene. "It's my birthday so she can't shout at me. Aguamenti!"

A spray of water hit Marlene and soaked her arm, Marlene moved it and the water hit her face. "MERLIN'S SAKE! STOP! I'm up!" Marlene screamed as she sat up.

Alice moved her wand, and a soaked Marlene brushed her hair out her face and glared at Alice and Lily who were both trying to hold back giggles and failing.

"I hate you both!" Marlene said as she reached for her wand and silently dried herself.

"It was Lily's idea!" Alice said between giggles. "We couldn't resist!"

Lily rolled her eyes. "You traitor."

Alice smiled innocently. "Neither of you can be mad at me. It's my birthday remember."

Marlene grinned. "Presents now or later birthday girl?"

"OI FORTESCUE GET DOWN HERE!" They heard Sirius Black yelling.

Marlene yelled back. "SHUT IT SIRI!"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT MARLEY!" Sirius yelled back.

"I'm going to hex him," Marlene muttered.

Lily coughed. "You might want to get dressed first.

Alice giggled. "You guys do that, I'm going to find Frank."

As soon as Alice walked down the stairs, Sirius Black had levitated her up.

"Three, two, one GO!" He shouted, waving his wand like a baton.

Everybody in the common room stood up and started singing 'Happy Birthday'.

Alice blushed red with embarrassment.

As the song ended, Sirius bowed, grinning. Alice coughed pointedly and Sirius lowered her to the ground again.

"Happy birthday Fortescue. I'll accept your thanks in firewhiskey."

Alice shook her head. "You lose a bet with Frank?"

Sirius huffed, rolling his eyes.

"Frank recruited us," James interrupted out of nowhere and Alice spun around, a hand on her heart to see him grinning at her.

"Merlin's sake James! You're not a dementor. Don't sneak up on people like that!"

"Sorry," he said not sounding sorry at all. "Happy birthday."

Alice thanked him and then frowned. "Wait did you say Frank recruited you?"

James nodded his head enthusiastically. "He knows we're the best so of course he recruited us. You're in for an amazing day. We have so many fun plans!" He gushed, rubbing his hands together gleefully. "Hey! Where's Mrs Potter?"

Alice laughed. "Do you actually call her that in your head?"

James blushed. "Yeah, Mrs Lily Potter sounds perfect y'know," He said dreamily.

"It does not!" Lily protested, coming down the stairs.

James smiled adoringly at her.

Alice silenced Lily to prevent another argument or Merlin forbid a tantrum by James, Alice shuddered at the thought of eight-year-old James having another tantrum. She did not want to deal with that on her birthday.

"Where's Frank?" Alice asked.

Sirius winked and James shrugged sullenly. "Padfoot won't tell me either." He pouted.

Sirius patted James's back. "Stop blurting out secrets and I'll tell you," He said.

James glared at him. "I do not blurt out secrets. I haven't told Lily about the Potter-"

Sirius covered James's mouth with his hand. "Uh-huh Prongs. Come on, let's go." He pulled James towards the portrait hole.

Lily stared at James suspiciously as he left but Marlene walked down the stairs, distracting her as Lily gestured furiously towards her throat and widened her eyes innocently.

"Do you promise not to argue with James today?" Marlene asked.

Lily rolled her eyes and nodded. "I'd believe her Alice." Marlene grinned.

Alice ended the spell and Lily groaned. "I hate it when you do that to me,"

Alice shrugged. "It's my birthday. I didn't fancy watching you and James argue."

Lily sighed. "You're right, you're right. I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't argue with him…it's just habit."

Alice pulled Lily into a hug. "I know Lils. It'll be fine. Once James is back to normal, he'll just go back to ignoring you like he was before."

Lily nodded. "Yeah, he will." There was no reason for Lily to feel sick at the thought of Potter ignoring her again. None at all.

Horace Slughorn was very nervous as he called Snape into his office.

"You wanted to see me?" Snape muttered as he entered the room.

"Mr Snape, please sit down," Horace said sternly. "Now, I know you must have worked out that this potion affecting Mr Potter is irreversible unless we find an antidote within the next few days."

Severus Snape didn't bother hiding his smirk. "And why would I help you?" He sneered.

Slughorn eyed Severus Snape thoughtfully, wondering what the best way to handle this was.

"You're in Slytherin, Mr Snape, I'm sure you don't need me to explain the power Most Ancient and Noble Houses hold." Snape scoffed at this. Slughorn sighed before continuing.

"You may despise Mr Potter all you wish, but you will help me find an antidote if you care for your future. The Potters are a well-respected family known within the potions field."

"But Potter can hardly brew a potion to save his life," Snape protested.

"Nonsense!" Slughorn exclaimed. "James Potter is the son of Charlus Potter. I'd be surprised if he wasn't tutored by him for years." Snape opened his mouth to protest but Slughorn held up his hand and continued on.

"Now, between you and me, you and Miss Evans are far more talented than Mr Potter. No, his talents truly lie in Transfiguration but do not doubt the power the Potter name wields, especially when it comes to Potions. You are well aware that every year, my most talented students are interviewed by Charlus Potter, one of the most prominent potioneers alive. His father, Fleamont Potter, invented Sleekeazy's Hair Potion and Charlus was highly praised for inventing a version that didn't include those interesting side effects for redheads." Slughorn chuckled.

Snape sneered. "I'm not helping."

Slughorn stared at the boy. "If you don't, Dorea Black Potter," Slughorn shivered. "will ruin any chance you have to become a Potions Master. You may be talented but once it is leaked you harmed the Potter heir; nobody will hire you or give you an apprenticeship."

Snape crossed his arms. "I don't care. I'll become a Master in Defence Against the Dark Arts."

Slughorn sighed again. "Let me be clearer, Mr Snape. The House of Potter is a Most Ancient and Noble House. They are closely aligned with the Most Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom and many other powerful Houses. Not to mention Dorea Potter comes from the House of Black." Slughorn shivered again.

"If you don't help me create an antidote, make no mistake Severus, Dorea Potter will ruin your life no matter what you do."

Snape glared at him. "Fine. Here's what I've worked out."

Alice was taking forever. Lily was sitting in The Three Broomsticks with Marlene and the Marauders (she still couldn't believe they called themselves) waiting for Alice and Frank to sign their marriage contract. "Why is this taking so long?" Lily asked curiously. "I thought they just had to sign the contract."

Marlene shrugged. "Nobody actually knows how marriage contracts work until you decide to enter one. Apparently, in my grandparents' time, it was common knowledge but then this couple wrote their own marriage contract and didn't get it checked by anybody. It went horribly wrong and they both died. Alice and Frank's parents are probably explaining exactly how the contract works."

Sirius finished his gillywater, tapping the table with his knuckles. "Doesn't help Arthur Weasley broke his contract recently. They're probably being even more cautious and explaining everything twice now."

"Stop that tapping Padfoot," Remus complained. Sirius grinned, tapping louder.

"Why aren't you buying me a butterbeer?" James moaned. "I don't want this stupid Gillywater."

"Mum made a bet with me that we couldn't survive a week without drinking butterbeer. She reckons we're addicted to the-"

"Sugary facade of a drink." James finished. "She says that all the time! It doesn't even make any sense!"

Sirius shook his head. "Honestly, we're not addicted."

"So, you say," Lily muttered.

"Aww Lilypad, I didn't know you cared." Sirius joked, moving to sling an arm around her shoulder.

Lily pushed his arm away, smiling sweetly. "We might be friends now but that doesn't mean I won't hex you."

James grinned, jumping up and down. "Why won't you be friends with me?"

Lily let her head fall onto her arms on the table, groaning. "I can't wait until Professor Slughorn finds that antidote!" She mumbled.

Marlene McKinnon knew her best friends. She'd known Alice for years and she could say with absolute conviction that rarely had Alice been happier than she was as they walked back to Hogwarts.

Though she hadn't known Lily as long, Marlene, Lily and Alice had quickly become best friends. Marlene would bet all the galleons she had in her pockets that she knew Lily just as well as Alice. Which was why Marlene just knew that something was bothering Lily. And not just in, 'James Potter is asking me out a hundred times in an hour again' way either. No, Lily had been acting weirdly ever since she'd knocked over her butterbeer in shock and claimed they needed to return to Hogwarts urgently.

The only question was why. It was lucky that Alice had been too distracted by Frank to notice how upset Lily had been. Lily wouldn't have cut their outing short if it hadn't been a matter of life and death, Marlene just wanted to know what made Lily so worried.

Sirius nudged her sharply. Marlene clutched his arm to stop herself from crashing into a door a split second before the door could hit her face.

"Oww! That hurts Marls." Sirius pouted.

Marlene clutched his arm even tighter as she moved back. "Couldn't you have warned me earlier Black?"

Sirius arched an eyebrow. "Where would have been the fun in that, McKitten."

"Siri!" Marlene turned him so she was facing her. "Do you want me to hex you?"

Sirius stepped even closer and Marlene had to force herself from not stepping back. 'Don't let him win,' She thought.

"We both know you won't hex me, Marlene. You just enjoy threatening me."

She made herself step even closer, only their height distance leaving a gap between their faces.

"And why do you enjoy my threats so much?" Marlene murmured, arching an eyebrow.

Sirius tilted his head downwards, towards her own. "Who says I do?"

"Oi! Stop flirting and open the door!" yelled James. Marlene turned to face him, and her head bumped into Sirius's.

"Oww!" They cried out in unison.

"I wasn't flirting with Sirius!" protested Marlene, rubbing her head as Sirius opened the door for them.

Alice giggled. "I believe the witch protests too much."

Marlene rolled her eyes and moved to link her arms with Lily who was staring forwards distractedly. "Lily believes me, don't you Lils?"

"Huh?" Lily looked at Marlene in confusion. "Did you say something? Oh, we're here. Thanks, Marls. I need to find Professor Slughorn." rambled Lily as she started striding inside.

Lily knocked on Professor Slughorn's office door rapidly, fidgeting with her fingers as she waited.

A minute ticked by and then another, but the door didn't open. Lily knocked again. Maybe he hadn't heard her knock. Another minute slowly ticked by. Lily paced around the door. Where was he? He was always in his office on the weekends.

A few more minutes later, after Lily had knocked several more times, Lily sunk to the floor next to his office. Surely, Professor Slughorn would return to his office soon.

"Miss Evans, are you alright?" Lily looked up to see Professor McGonagall staring at her.

Lily stood up. "Have you seen Professor Slughorn? I have to tell him something urgently," Lily asked.

"I believe he's in one of the potion classrooms."

"Thank you, Professor," replied Lily as she started walking towards the dungeons.

"Oh, and Miss Evans," Lily turned to look at the head of her house who was smiling at her kindly.

"Five points to Gryffindor for showing concern about a fellow student."

Lily stared at Professor McGonagall's back, mouth open to protest for a few seconds. She was not concerned about Potter! Still a tiny traitorous part of her mind insisted that she did care about Potter and not just because he was her friends' friend.

"I am not worried about J-Potter," Lily repeated. Lily was so busy repeating this to herself, she almost didn't realise she'd walked past the Potions classroom.

She knocked on the door and pushed it open when she heard a muffled 'come in'.

"Professor Slughorn, I've just realised that we must find the antidote by Monday and-" Lily blurted out

"Lily," said Snape in that same pleading tone he'd been using since their argument.

Lily frowned at him and looked back at Professor Slughorn who was sweating profusely and gave a weak smile to Lily.

"I came to the same conclusion myself, Miss Evans. Mr Snape has been helping me find an antidote."

Lily nodded slowly. "I...I hope you find an antidote soon Professor." She mumbled, exiting the classroom again.

Snape had every intention of completing the damn antidote as soon as he could just so he could be free of spending all of his time helping Potter. But then Lily, oh beautiful, wonderful Lily, had walked in worried and concerned over the arrogant git.

Snape clutched his fork more tightly at the memory over her upset face. He looked over at the Gryffindor table, Lily wasn't even eating properly. Her gaze was stuck on James bloody Potter who was laughing with Black. Snape sneered. He didn't know who was worse - Potter or Black.

Potter looked at Lily who was still staring at him with that worried look of hers. The way she used to look at him after he'd fought with Potter and the imbeciles that surrounded him. Potter said something to her, and Lily bit her lip in that way she always did when she was trying not to laugh or smile. She rolled her eyes and said something to him that made him laugh loudly.

Snape didn't care how much time he'd have to spend with Slughorn stressing about the beloved Potter. He wouldn't finish that antidote a second before he had too. Maybe he'd get lucky and some of the effects would be permanent. After all, even the best potioneers could be wrong from time to time.

Marlene silently crept out of her bed, silencing her feet so that the floor wouldn't creak and give her away. She nudged the door open and slipped out, closing it slowly so that her roommates wouldn't wake up and notice her absence.

She sunk onto the sofa facing the fireplace and closed her eyes for a few minutes.

"I know you couldn't resist my charms forever, Marlene McKinnon," Sirius murmured.

Marlene opened her eyes to find him standing in front of her.

She looked up at him and laughed. "You think I can't resist you?"

Sirius sat down next to her and she turned to face him, folding her legs beneath her. "Why else would you slip me a note asking to meet me down here at midnight?" he questioned, winking at her.

Marlene rolled her eyes. "We both know you're the one who can't resist me, Sirius Black. But that's not why I wanted to speak to you."

Sirius waited for her to continue. "I...uh...oh Merlin, I can't believe I'm saying this but I think it's time for your plan." She covered her face with her hands.

Sirius pulled her hands away from her face and stared at her, mouth open.

"You mean you're actually agreeing to my plan? The plan you said was the stupidest plan you'd EVER heard."

"Yes," She muttered.

"Sorry what?"

"Yes," She repeated again, slightly louder.

"I didn't hear that."

"FINE! Yes, I'm agreeing to your stupid plan. Are you happy now?"

Sirius tilted his head back and laughed loudly.

"Oh shut up Black!" Marlene complained. "Do you want us to get caught?"

"Let me savour the fact that I was right and the oh so great Marlene McKinnon was wrong." he teased.

Marlene crossed her arms and turned away from him.

Sirius slung his arm around her. "So why now?" He asked.

"Does it matter?" muttered Marlene, shoving his arm away.

Sirius just slung his arm around her again. "Tell me," he insisted.

Marlene sighed loudly and let her head fall back onto his arm and looked at him. If he insisted on putting his arm around her then she might as well use it as a pillow.

"I know Lily and she was acting weirdly for hours. So, I asked her what was wrong when we went into our dorm." Marlene paused to figure exactly how to continue.

"She told me that if Slughorn doesn't find an antidote by Monday then James...the effect will be permanent." Her voice cracked on the last word and she blinked back tears.

Sirius stared at her and his voice wasn't very steady when he said. "You mean...he'll..."

Marlene nodded. "Siri. Think about it. Lily takes advantage of every extra credit opportunity she gets. If this accident had happened to any other student, then you and I both know that Lily would have asked Slughorn if she could help him find an antidote the first chance she got."

Sirius nodded slowly but Marlene had a feeling he was still digesting what she'd told him about James.

"But she didn't even think about the accident until she mentioned the antidote in The Three Broomsticks earlier. She's been too preoccupied-"

"thinking about Prongs," Sirius finished. "That's why she hadn't thought about helping old Sluggy or thinking about the actual potions-y element of it."

Marlene nodded. "I noticed that earlier this week, but I figured maybe she was too busy babysitting James but her reaction today..."

"She likes him. She fancies James!" exclaimed Sirius.

Marlene rolled her eyes. "She doesn't fancy him, Sirius! Not yet anyway. But she does like him and her being Lily, she's denying her feelings about him."

Sirius grinned. "That's why you're agreeing to my brilliant plan."

Marlene winced. "It's not brilliant!" She protested. "But...but it is the only way that she'll ever," she paused to yawn before continuing, "give James a chance."

Sirius pulled Marlene up. "Go to bed Marls. We'll figure out the details tomorrow."

Marlene smiled at him and turned to go up the stairs.

"McKinnon," Black called out when she was halfway up the stairs.

Marlene turned to face him, raising her eyebrows.

"Tell me you're agreeing to my plan again."

Marlene rolled her eyes, continuing to walk up. "Good night Sirius." She called out. Just before she walked through the door, she paused. "Let's do your stupid plan Sirius Black!"

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I would love to hear your thoughts! Reviews encourage me to write and my muse definitely needs the inspiration!