The Marauding Five : Year Four

Lori Rhodes : *blink blink* really?? You really really enjoy the previous parts of this boring series? That's first. Cause when I re-read everything all over, I discovered a couple of very stupid mistakes, terrible grammars and bad terms of all sorts. Now I know how many people suffered from my terrible writing when they wrote. I just wonder, if I had improved yet… maybe not, as my friend was complaining about my very bad sense of humour [as in none at all] and how stupid I am. Anywayz, hurrah for us! I just had a dream about Harry and James. It goes like this: James wore green contacts, so he may look like his son. And both of them were at about the same height. They came to my school, James calls himself Harry, Harry calls himself James. And then Lily Potter runs in, hits James in the head for teasing young kids, they brawl and the commotion ended up when I woke up. And that happened just this morning, where I'm still suffering fever [yes, I'm sick and I still dream!] anywayz, my friends laughed at my dreams, telling me that they'll make perfect clichés as they're terribly stupid, ¾ of them.

Noelle : look!!! Now we have proof that teachers are professors in disguise!!! Our problem now is just one small, itsy-bitsy-tiny-mini thing: How do we tell the Ministry of Magic that? We have to surrender Voldemort to them, no doubt, but how? They ought to leave us a hotline so that if we meet Voldemort, we would be able to report!!!!! Don't you think so too? And great!!! Bravo!!!! How'd you know that the next time I planned for Voldie to appear, he'll appear in a starfish robes with a tiny Statue-of-Liberty model in his hand? Oh well, I might as well change his fashion taste, now that everyone knows this. Oh, I'll explain what'll happen to Mr Rottie in year five [it's sooo near, yet soooo far!!!!]. I HATE going to the mall, unless I can buy books or comics. They're my only life anywayz. I go to the mall, pulled by two friends on the ear [really! It goes red!!] and they shop and shop and shop and I eat and eat and eat J it's a wonder to people why I didn't grow any fatter. Maybe half those walks around the mall burn my calories away…?

Torch : really? You downloaded it into the disk? I'm so honoured!!!!!! But that's what I do, too, to some of my favourites J they never really did go into the diskette, because they're too big, but I have them stored in my hard drive, so it's pretty much the same!

Lyra : What's a bribe? It sounds a lot like food… and why would people want their fics to be as bad as mine? *blink* the world just never ceases to amaze me on how people think.

And to the others… you're the sweetest person ever!!!!!!!!!! I dedicate this chapter to all of you and my friend, Nabilah [sorry Nab, too lazy to type in your penname], who thinks I'm a cousin to The Joker and who thinks I can't write any romance at all. I'm trying my best at romance here!!!! Wish me luck!!! *crosses fingers hopefully*

Disclaimer: *blink blink* Are you eating me?

The Marauding Five : Year Four

Chapter 9: Project S.L.J.M.P.

'I'm gonna get you for this,' Lily muttered groggily, sitting up in her bed. 'What do you want, mom?'

'No, I forgot. Of course I remembered!

'And your point is?

'What?! You've got to be kidding!'

'Um… no.

'Mom, leave me alone! Get Adele and-

'I don't like him, so leave me alone!

'Grr… fine! Only cause I don't want my hair chopped off,' Lily said grumpily. The five other girls in the room had woken up and were listening outside Lily's bed, wondering what sort of dream made Lily said the odd conversation they were hearing. Suddenly, the curtain jerked and was pulled back by a bright-eyed Lily.

'Eavesdropping, girls?' Lily said sweetly. 'Well corry, no entertainment left. You'll just have to bear with a curse, then.'

'Aah!' Adele yelped, running back to her bed which is just next to Lily's.

'Obliviate! Come back here Adele!' Lily called, pulling Adele off with her after using a memory charm on the remaining four, who sadly, weren't quick enough with their reflexes.

'Li, honest! I didn't mean to spy! Or eavesdrop! But you were talking things and-'

'Get in here, Adele!' Lily hissed, pushing Adele into her bed and draw the curtains.

'Wha? Lily, don't kill me yet!!' Adele pleaded pitifully.

'I'm not killing you! No one is!' Lily said in annoyance. 'Anyway, that was my mother I was talking to just now.'

'Aunt Rose? But how? We're in Hogwarts and she's in Loopy Village. That's quite a distance there! And no one could Apparate or Disapparate in Hogwarts!' Adele said.

'Ssh! She asked me to do something! If I don't, she'll cut off my hair!" Lily said.

'And so?'

'Well, I can't cut my hair!'

'Why not? I mean, everyone can, right?'

'Not me! So I had to do it!'

'Do what?'

'Here's her deal. Either I do it or I die.'

'Yeah, I know that. But what are we supposed to do?

'Plant some dungbombs.'

'What?! Lily, are you mad?'

'No. Of course I am!!! Mom wants me to kiss James as his birthday present! And give him chocolates and all – though that's optional – and everyone knows that James is holding a party this year!' Lily said.

'Uh… what's so bad, then?' Adele said. She couldn't see anything through that.

'The bad part is that the whole of Gryffindor will be there. You want me to embarass myself before those girls out there? Huh? Huh? And the whole house? Huh? Huh?' Lily demanded.

'No… but your mom said she'll kill you, right?' Adele said slowly. This is getting confusing, with Lily talking at the speed of a bullet train.

'Yes!!!'

'Then why'd you pull me here?'

'Give me an idea!!! You're my friend, aren't you? Yes, I know you are! I'm in dire need of decent help right now!' Lily pleaded.

'I would, Li, but hw?'

'That's what I'm asking, Adele. H-E-L-P. Get it?? HELP!!!!! S.O.S.!!!' Lily said desperately.

'Er… let's talk to the boys about this, then,' Adele suggested.

'But Sirius!!! I did mention decent help, didn't I?'

'Forget that moronic maniac.'

Lily let out a little sniff.

'Thank you!!!!!'

'Whatever. Just make sure you don't get your Emotional week now. It's due this year,' Adele said, but she's grinning broadly with pride.

**

The two girls sneaked out of the dorm under Lily's Invisibility Cloak, wand in hand. Lily said she had a feeling that Snape might be wandering around the corridors. They were now heading towards the kitchens as the boys weren't in their beds.

'Moron food-chomping monsters. How dare they think of food when I'm trying to find a way to et outta this stupid mess mom brought me into? I bet even James's mom wouldn't do that on my birthday!' Lily muttered.

'They're uh, probably ordering for the party?' Adele suggested timidly. Lily's mood is definitely not in time for games.

'You're kidding. It's weeks way too early. They're stuffing up, dumb food chompers. I tell you, they could win a giant food eating competition with first prize,' Lily muttered, turning the corner.

Adele wanted to say something but decided against it. Lily would most probably skin her alive if she even knew about it.

'Adele?'

'Hmm?'

'I will NOT kiss James Potter in public. And unless you really want me to skin you alive, try it. I dare you to,' Lily said warningly.

Adele gulped. How could she have forgotten that Lily can read minds as if they were printed on faces? She must be really careless to not have guard her thoughts.

Suddenly, a long shadow walked past. Tall, mean and ugly. Severus Snape stood before the corrydor. He looked around. First left. Then right. Then he started sniffing here and there, like a dog, and his ears stood up alert. Seeing – or sniffing – nothing, he went off, still sniffing, but this time on all fours. The girls gaped wordlessly at him.

'He thinks he's a dog!' Adele said when she found her voice.

'The boys must have put the confundus spell on him,' Lily said, still looking at Snape.

'Oh, like the one you used on Minnie?'

'Not that. We need to be together to do that. Remus must've found a confundus spell. I'll get it from him!' Lily vowed.

'Er… aren't we suppose to save you from kissing James?'

'Hm? Oh yeah! This will be project "Save Lily and James from the Mother's Project" code S.L.J.M.P.!' Lily said, enthustic about the idea of having a code for her project.

'Come on. We'l better get to the kitchens quick,' Adele muttered, dragging Lily off. 'I don't think I can stand it any longer with you being so crazy tonight.'

**

'She WHAT?!' Remus, Sirius and James said at the same time.

'I hadn't said anything yet,' Adele said. 'Neither had Lily.'

'Oops! Sorry!' Sirius said, helping himself with more pudding and tarts. 'Go on.'

'As I was trying to say,' Lily started.

'They did? How could they?' James said in dismay.

'James! I had not said anything yet!!! Did your brains get the message? I hadn't said anything yet about what our parents said just now!!!' Lily nearly yelled.

'Oh, sorry. Do go on,' Remus said.

'And no interruptions!' Adele warned. A small gleam from her forehead shut them up well enough.

'Good! Now,' Lily said, 'time for S.L.J.M.P. to get into action.'

'What? "Slytherin Loathes Jack-the-beans Meeting Pepper-the-pepper"?' James said, chewing on a potato.

'Oh, or maybe "See Lucious the Joker Malfoy Playing"? Sorry girl, got way much more better things to do,' Sirius said.

'No, no, no! James, our mothers are on rampage again!' Lily said, stomping her legs in impatience.

'Boom! Ba ba doom! Like a pack of elephants?' Remus said.

'Well, quite, but not exactly like that,' Adele said.

'Look, someone – anyone – better get a Clouding Sweet and send it to my mom,' Lily said.

'I have some,' Sirius volunteered, taking the sweet out.

'Yeah. It stinked,' Remus said, wincing at the smell. 'How long has it been in your pocket?'

'Before the lake episode.'

'Sirius, that was weeks and weeks ago!' Adele exclaimed with horror. 'Does that mean you never do laundry???'

'No. I left it there. And it was two months ago,' Sirius corrected.

'I'll bet Aunt Rose wouldn't even touch it,' James said, holding his nose. 'She's really particular over … things.'

'What is this for anyway?'

'To cloud mom's vision,' Lily muttered. She took the sweet from Sirius, deciding that it'll just have to do.

'Whatever for?' James asked.

'Because of you! I'm naver taking any chances to kiss you before Gryffindor house!' Lily said hotly. James's eyes widen.

'That means you will? Alone?' Sirius grinned maliciously.

'No way!' the two yelled. Adele burned him in response of Lily's anger.

'Yow! Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot!!' Sirius yelped before jumping into the nearest water source. An aquarium. Just when one thought all was over and done with, Sirius had yet another shock awaiting him. 'Aaaaaah!!!!!! PIRANHAS!!!!!!!'

'Looks like Dumbledore gave up the idea on raring goldfishes,' Remus grinned.

'Piranhas make good pets,' a voice said.

'I think not. Ah!! Get 'rm outta here!!!!!' Sirius yelled.

'Well, feeding a finger might help,' Dumbledore said helpfully.

'You're kidding! Never are you gonna catch me feeding these pack of carnivorous snappers anything!!!' Sirius yelped. 'Lily Rose Evans, HELP!!!!!'

'Sorry, nope.'

'Adele!!!'

'Ditto Lily,' Adele grinned.

'James, get your ignorant girlfriend to help!'

'Girlfriend? Have I one, Lily?' James asked.

'I certainly don't recall you telling me so,' Lily said.

'Remus? Please?' Sirius begged.

'Much as I'd like to, how?' Remus said.

'Feed it a finger!' Dumbledore insisted. Remus and Adele exchanged glances (Lily and James were busy babbling about what the piranhas might find for food from Sirius after supper) before grinning at him evilly. 'What? I'm headmaster!' Dumbledore said.

'Charge!!!!!!' Remus yelled. Immediately, all four Marauders (the couple gave up when they sensed something interesting) heaped themselves onto Dumbledore.

'Sirius! Quick!' Adele said. Sirius ran over with difficulty. The piranha was snapping at his fingers hungrily. Upon reaching them, the Marauders popped in one of Dumbledore's long fingers into the piranha's mouth. Dumbledore let out a yell, which is something really undignifying for a headmaster.

'Quit it, Dumbledore. We know it's a fake finger,' Lily said. The piranha is now biting hard at the rubber finger. Dumbledore smiled.

'How do you know, Lily?' he asked in amusement.

'I'm a plain genius,' she replied modestly.

'Yeah right. Who gave you the idea? Me!' Remus argued.

'Who started it? Me!!!! Hahaha!' Sirius said happily. The Marauders exchanged glances.

'Well… back into the tank then,' James said.

'No! No, no, no! I was just kidding!! Honestly!' Sirius said, backing in fear.

**

'What happened?' Dan asked, looking at Sirius, who was covered in bandages and band-aids, looking like a half-covered mummy.

'Attack of the mini-jaws,' Sirius muttered.

'Of what? Come again?' Thomas said.

'Got attacked by mini sea saws, he said,' Dan replied. 'Odd, huh?'

'Really odd,' Thomas nodded in agreement.

'It's attack of the mini-Jaws! That shark that scared half the living daylights of human beings that half daren't even take a shower without a spear!!!!' Sirius yelled.

'What shark?' a Hufflepuff asked blankly.

'Mister Super Huge Teeth,' James said cheerfully.

'He got attacked by fis- mmph!!!!!' Adele said, when Sirius clamped her mouth hurriedly.

'Fisty?' the Hufflepuff echoed.

'No, it's fishes – Sirius, no use with me!' Lily said, dodging Sirius neatly. Sirius fall face-first on her porridge.

'Eew! Look what disgusting mucus you have! You made me lose my appetite,' Lily groaned. Sirius had sneezed on the pepper in her porridge and the thing was… gross.

'… It's time for Divination,' Remus said. 'And later, Care for Magical Creatures.'

'Boring,' James yawned.

'No better than that,' Adele chipped.

'Stupid insect,' Sirius nodded in agreement.

**

'Today we'll go to-' Trelawney started in her misty voice.

'Talking with the dead!' Tally cried excitedly.

'Yeah! That should be fun!!' Sirius supported.

'Isn't that… dangerous?' Adele asked.

'Children, we will not be learning that,' Trelawney said.

'Oh, but it's in our book! See?' Tally said, showing her copy of Fourth Year Divination: Unfogging the Fogs.

'It's in page 156, which means in our last chapter, dear.'

'But we're in the third last chapter!' Dan moaned.

'Why not you teach us how voodoo curses work?' James said.

'Potter! I teach Divination, not Defense Against Dark Arts!' Trelawney exclaimed in shock.

'Yeah, but voodoo dolls are in the fourteenth chapter. And that's second last,' Remus whispered to Lily.

'Well, unfortunately for everybody, no one noticed that their DADA books are wrapped up with the Divination books's cover,' Lily whispered back, grinning broadly.

**

'So who'll help me?' Lily asked Adele desperately that night.

'No idea, Flower, but you could try that voodoo curse on your mom,' Adele said, helpfully. 'Somehow, I still don't get it. How did voodoo dolls and ouija ended up in my Divination book?'

'Don't breathe the word Divination to me. I definitely had one dumb talent for that subject. I say Trenna and the rest, and that's the last time I ever wanna see a memory,' Lily muttered.

'Who?'

'Forget it. Help me!!! I am definitely not kissing anybody!'

'You have to! I don't think your mother would touch that stinking sweet which isn't a sweet! It looked so much like green pepper in disguise!'

'Figures. Gimme an idea, then!'

'Get help.'

'That's what I was asking for, Adele!'

'Lily, either you kiss James and be done with it or kill your mother and be done with that. Only those two choices I can suggest. Else, just ask James to put off his birthday,' Adele said.

'Yeah. How can you put off a birthday? Huh? For all you or I know, mom could've just take a train here and make me do it: by force or by will,' Lily gritted.

Adele sighed.

'Look Li, I can't help you here. You need to go on yourself at this point. I don't know you that well yet,' Adele said.

'Oh fine. I'll just figure it out myself then. Ciao,' Lily said dully. Adele guiltily climbed into her four-poster bed.

'Now, to solve that stupid problem… how can I save myself?' Lily ponderd. Ask Remus? No. James? No. Sirius? Maybe I should kill myself first before asking that idiot for an advice. I wonder if the registration center for angels are open at the moment…

Nah! Lily said firmly to herself. I'm too young to die yet!

But to whom should she turn for advice?

Only one knows you better…

'Huh? Lily said, snapping up. 'Hey Adele! You heard anything?'

'Mmm? No, why?' Adele mumbled sleepily from her bed.

'Nothing.'

But I heard it!

Who could it be?

This is ridiculous, Lily. Ignore that dumb voice and in the name of your own, think of a way to stop yourself from mom's stupif game! Annd whatever that voice said, I don't care, cause only I know myself better than anyone. Hurrah for Lily! Hip, hip, hurrah!!!!

You're right, Lily. Only you know yourself best.

But I know you, too. Better than you yourself.

'Okay! I'm positive now! Who's there?' Lily said, sitting up. 'Show yourself, if you dare! I'm armed!' The voice chuckled a little.

I am you, you are me

Guess who's here? The one and only…

'Lily Trenna…' Lily whispered.

Bingo!!!! So, how's it going now?

'What d'you think? My mom just gave me a heart attack,' Lily muttered. A silvery form appeared before Lily in a sort of white liquid. An exact replica and young as ever, was Lily Trenna.

Rose-Girl playing matchmaker again? She never gives up, does she?

'You have my word on that. Asking her to give up is like trying to force Acid Pops into her mouth. You simply get busted off,' Lily said.

So… Found your solution?

'As good as my super eye to see you is gone,' Lily replied. That moment, Adele chose to yank the curtains open, wondering who on earth Lily is speaking to now.

'Lily, who're you talking to?' Adele demanded, her eyes missing Lily Trenna's shadowy form.

'No one. And I'll be lower, sorry,' Lily said, smirking at Trenna, who simply rolled her eyes. Muttering, Adele went back to bed grumpily.

'Alright, call out the gang,' Lily said to Trenna.

Sorry, no idea what you're talking about.

'You know exactly what I'm saying, Trenna, so call them out!' Lily insisted. 'I'm sure, out of you five superbly genius geniuses, at least one can think of my way to run outta this horrid mess no one wants to bother themselves with but me!'

Wow, you got that long sentence in a sentence and in one breath. Totally impressed.

Get out, guys. She knows you're here. Sirius! Stop hiding in that kettle! Trenna said.

Four other shadows formed. James chore, Sirius Brad, Remus Pepper and Adele Green pouted as they turn visible in Lily's eyes. Brad was grumbling about being found by some stupid teenage witch who had no sense of sensibility or abnormality.

Wow, and I was just making a wild guess, Lily said in awe to herself. You're a genius, girl.

How did she know? Green pouted.

Figured it out, Trenna shrugged.

You should've thought of what she did, turn us all into Psychics! Chore said.

Shut up, James! Rose didn't tell me anything about that!

Yeah. You're supposed to learn, idiot, Pepper accused.

'Good. You're all here. Maybe one of you could tell me how to squirm myself from kissing James Potter on his birthday party,' Lily said hopefully. 'You all have plans, don't you? You wouldn't see me if it weren't so, right?' The five memories exchanged glances and grinned at her.

Smart kid. Here's our plan, young Lily…

**

Adele stared at Lily the next morning. Her friend had been grinning really broadly and the twinkle in her emerald eyes were brighter than ever. Her face was positively glowing and she was practically skipping to the Great Hall happily. Adele was wondering if the insane mosquito (should there be one) bit her last night, because Lily was most definitely insane now, if not before.

'Lily, what happened? You weren't this insane before,' Adele asked finally.

'Nothing,' the other girl replied carelessly.

'Are you sick?'

'No! Why should I be sick?'

'Cause you are sick!' James chirped, joining them. 'Why? In seventh heaven?'

'Obviously not! I'm alive, aren't I?' Lily said indignantly.

'Okay, what's bugging your mind, little sister?' Sirius said, waving a hand before Lily's face. Lily swapped it away irritably.

'I said already: nothing!'

'You sure? Cause James's birthday is tomorrow. Surely you don't want the ice-creams?' Remus asked.

'I am NOT insane or having a fever! Of course I'll take those ice-creams!!! They're life!' Lily said, immediately going starry-eyed.

'I'm confirmed,' Adele muttered.

'I am NOT bonkers yet!!!!!!!!!!' And Adele was turned into a tortoise with purple shell.

**

'Yay! A party!! Today!!!' Pertsy cheered.

'Happy birthday!' Thomas greeted James.

'No. Having him must be his mom's greatest misery. So maybe that's why he was sent to Hogwarts, eh, along with Sirius and Remus and Lily?' Dan said jokingly.

'Well, it's a good way to spend the weekend, I'll say,' Tally chipped.

'And food!' Sirius added.

'Food… I'm starving,' Remus said.

'Uh, guys? I don't think Lily'd be attending,' Adele said undecidedly. 'She wants to stay in bed.'

'Why?' Sita asked.

'Good question: Why?' James echoed. 'She loves parties!'

'Ask her,' Adele said.

Boom! The explosion had all heads turned to the staircase.

'Wha?' Sirius gaped.

'What's that huge thing doing in the common room?' Nina exclaimed.

As if to answer her question, Lily's red head popped out of the enormous green tanker. She was wearing what seemed a soldier's uniform and in her hand was a huge M16 (machine gun). The girl grinned around the common room brightly. The Gryffindors all stared at her.

'Hi!!! Like this?' Lily asked, still grinning.

'What are you doing with that?' Adele gaped. Remus, however, moved forward to inspect it.

'Hmm… Firepowder, plastic metal… Lily, this is Sirius's old toy!' Remus exclaimed.

'True. I made this gum though. Good, eh?' Lily said proudly.

'Pack yer backs, Gryffindors!!!! It's bomb time!' Peeves cackled, throwing dungbombs at them.

'Peeves! Stop it right now!' a sixth year perfect yelled.

And to everyone's surprise, Peeves did something very not like him. He stopped.

'Odd. He usually don't take orders. From us, I mean,' a friend pointed out.

'That's right!!!' Lily cried, 'Look out!!!!' the girl swung from the tank and did a small turn in the air, drawing gasps from the concerned crowd.

'Get down, Evans!' the Head Girl bellowed.

'Get what down? Whee!! This is fun!!!!' Lily cried, holding an imaginary rope as she swung around the common room like a little monkey, using her charms knowledge to support herself.

'Timber!' James called as he, too, threw himself to the air, going after Lily with his imaginary rope.

'Wait for me!' Sirius called.

'Me! Me! Me!' Remus echoed, hurrying to the tank. The Gryffindors looked expectantly at the fifth Marauder.

'I can't believe I'm in a group with them!!!' Adele cried. They – our Gryffindor crowd – heaved a sigh of relief.

'But I guess it wouldn't hurt to play along,' Adele grinned. 'Hey!!!! Save a place for me!'

with that, all five Marauders were swinging in the air, looking like a monkey they had been for years.

'Ahem. James Edward Potter, may I know what are you doing?' a clear voice rang out. James got distracted and nearly lost his grip on the floating charm. In short, he nearly dropped his hidden wand.

'Mom! What are you doing here?' he cried. 'Must you always come to Hogwarts? Why, addicted to it?'

'Yeah, unfortunately. And I'm here to see how juvenile you are, young man. You're fourteen, mister, so act like one!' Yvonne yelled. 'Get down to the ground this instance! Lily! Such actions for a young lady! And Sirius and Remus and Adele! Get down now!'

'Y'know, we should get ol' Dumbledore to change some rules,' Sirius whispered.

'Yeah. Like banning parents from coming to Hogwarts constantly, namely ours,' Remus murmured back.

'GET DOWN NOW!'

Muttering, all five teens landed glumly in front of Yvonne. The past joy and excitement all gone with the wind, they grumbled with sour faces.

'Okay. Aren't you ever gonna get outta here? You're really annoying, with these visits you pay almost every year,' James muttered. He knew he was being rude, but one can't help it. There was one reason why he is unconsciously rude.

'I exist only to annoy, live to annoy and die to annoy,' Yvonne said uncaringly. See? This was one part of his reason.

'Where's mom?' Sirius asked. Usually, when one mother appears, the whole group'll be out there, ready to taunt you.

'Couldn't make it. And this is a sorta errand your mother asked me to run, so bear with it, Lily. She did say it before-hand and I'm dying to know the results,' Yvonne said, grinning maliciously at Lily.

'I will, I will. Don't worry!' Lily said casually, swatting some hair from her face. Adele gaped before pulling her away.

'Are you nuts? First you don't wanna kiss James and now you will?' Adele asked in surprise.

'Relax! I'm not kissing anyone!' Lily grinned.

'What? You have a plan? What is it?'

'Wait and see.'

'But I don't wanna see! Wanna hear!' Adele said.

'Then wait, and see, and hear,' Lily replied.

'To the lake, people!!!!' James cried. Everyone stampeded their way out of the portrait hole at once, squashing themselves like a tin of sardins.

'Goodness gracious! What are you all up to?' the Fat Lady cried in surprise at the whole crowd of Gryffindors.

'Party, party, party,' Sita sang, skipping out.

'Am I invited?'

'Sorry, no paintings allowed,' Sirius grinned.

'I am NOT a painting! I am Lady—'

'Porcupine something something something the Fat, right? Yeah, we know,' Remus said with pure boredom.

'Sorry madam, but you're only a painting of her,' Lily said.

'We just tear the canvas and POOF!!! You are history!!!!!' Adele cried.

'Perish that thought!' the portrait cried.

'Or throw some buckets! She'll be a laugh!' James said cruelly.

'Non, non!'

'Don't know what you saying. Sorry.'

'C'est—'

'Enough already!' Yvonne said. 'Aren't you five ever going?'

'Non de—'

'C'mon, let's just buzz off,' Sirius muttered, grabbing them.

'What took you guys so long?' Tally asked.

'Lady whatever-her-stupid-long-name-is made us pause,' Remus said.

'Huh?'

'Forget it. FOOD!' Sirius cried, charging to the large, round table with millions of food on it. Ice-creams, sodas, cakes, biscuits, cereal… everything! Even porridge!

Ah-ah! One thing first!' Yvonne stopped, pulling the boy back strongly. 'Blame Rose, Lily, not me. This is only my errand and I want it done as soon as possible.'

'Er, wait! Let me meditate first!' Lily said, stepping back.

'What's that?' James whispered curiously to Adele. 'What did her mom ask her to do now?'

'Kiss you. She's been searching for a way since, super-duper-food-chompers,' Adele whispered back, sarcastically.

'You're kidding! Here???' Remus cried.

'Ssh! Let me meditate!' Lily hushed. Yvonne smirked at her. There is positively no way Lily can run off this time. Rose Evans had told her: no running off, must be Lily and James and it has to be done before Gryffindor house.

'Look!!! What is that????' Lily cried, pointing at a direction where five floating figures are. All heads turned at once to the direction, being the busy-bodies they are. She kissed his lips and the first-years "ooohed" and "aahed" in awe.

'There!!! Lily did it!' Lily smirked happily to Yvonne. Mrs Potter just stared.

'Tricky as ever, aren't you?' Yvonne said glaringly to Trenna, who just kissed Chore. The visible-for-a-moment memory grinned mischievously and Chore beamed broadly.

Aren't we geniuses? Brad said, puffing up his chest grandly.

'Who're you? You looked like… like them!' a second-year cried, looking first at the five Marauders, who smiled sweetly, and at the floating spirits.

Job done! Bye littl Lily!! Green waved happily.

'Ta-ta! Thanks for the help!' Lily called.

No problem! Our pleasure!

They gave another wave before they merge with the sunny blue sky.

'That's- that's—' Adele stammered.

'Us!' Sirius finished.

'But we're here!' Remus pointed out. Obviously the three hadn't yet met the old group. James, however, grinned broadly.

'Okay mom! Your errand's finished! Chop chop! Lily Trenna kissed James Chore! Before Gryffindor house!!' James said.

'But-'

'My mom said Lily and James. Not Lily Evans and James Potter,' Lily said, pointing out the obvious where the unobservant missed. 'It could be ANY Lily and James.'

'Next time, Rose has to be more specific. Call herself a super-duper-genius… indeed! Out-witted by her very own daughter,' Yvonne muttered. 'Careless redhead.'

'Now let the party begin!!!!!' James cried to the still-surprised-and-blank Gryffindors. Snapping back to reality, they blinked the stars out of their eyes and rushed hurrily to the food.

'Oy!!!!! Don't just wallop everything right off! Leave them for me! Hey! You're stealing my pudding there! And my steamboat!' Sirius cried, running towards the table.

**

James fumbled the purple flower present paper carefully. The square-shaped present was given by his friend, no doubt, but he just wanted to make sure. He felt about the corners for a weak spot. Finding none, he looked at his friend sharply.

'Are you sure there's no time bomb in there, Si?' James asked finally.

'No. Don't you trust me?' Sirius said.

'Trust is a very big word there. Possibly the keyword.'

'Open it!' Sirius insisted. James reluctantly tore the paper off and…

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'You lied to me!' James cried.

'I did not!' Sirius managed to say in his fits of laughter, giggles, howls and tears. James's face was black and his hair was definitely at its roots now, if not before. His glasses was one-sided, thanks to the large explosion. Sirius-ly (yes, Sirius-ly) speaking, it is very hilarious-looking.

'You said there's no bomb in there!'

'You asked me if I was sure, so I said no!' Sirius laughed. He looked at James's face again and fell off the bed with a thud. 'Ow! I hit the floor!'

'What else would you hit? Angels? Their heads would probably break first,' Remus said sarcastically. 'Here, mine now,' Remus said, pushing his present to James. James eyed him narrowly.

'Hey, I'm not Sirius!' Remus defended.

'Okay, I trust you,' James said slowly, opening the bos.

So far so good. Two years ago, Sirius sent James a clockwork bomb. The year before, James got a huge dinamite time-bomb. And in these few years, James had learnt a very important lesson. So important he felt he should engrave it on the mountain. Never take a present from Sirius, especially when a saintly smile goes with it.

James pulled out a crystal orb.

'What?! You want me to do Divination?' James cried.

'Shuddap Potter,' Thomas muttered. 'I wanna sleep.'

'No. this one's a sorta truth teller, whatever that salesman said when I got this,' Remus shrugged.

'Good. I'll use it on Sirius next time,' James said happily.

'What did Adele and Lily got you?' Sirius asked inquisitely.

'Adele gave me a book on Quiddith and Lily gave me a prank set,' James said.

'She didn't give me one for mine!' Sirius wailed.

'Shut up!' Thomas yelled.

'Worst luck. It's the only one in the world. Specially ordered from Zonko's own factory,' James smirked.

'Good for you. Those two girls gave me a book on potions and a new set of wizarding chess, whose pieces are really grumpy,' Sirius muttered.

'I got a few kappas and some awesome dark creatures!' Remus said happily.

'Where do you keep them?' James asked.

'In the lake and under my bed.'

'You're insane, I think, to like them,' Sirius muttered. 'I guess I should just get Adele some pet food on her birthday.'

'What? You want her to eat that?' James said.

'Yeah. Poison her to death. Give me a set of potion books as thick as Lily's Simple Charms book – which is approximately five hands or heads, whatever. How'm I suppose to read that? I'm not Lily!' Sirius exclaimed.

'Lights out! Enough already!' Dan called.

'Fine. Ciao,' Remus said, going off.

'See ya,' Sirius bid. James drew his curtains around and started sorting out his presents. Just when the boy put the last present – a book on How To Behave by Milsea Manners from Melissa Charite, the Head girl – someone, or something, knocked on the window.

'Wha? Who's there?'

It knocked again, meaning it's someone since it understands English. James pulled his curtains away and looked out of the window (his bed is right next to it) and came face to face with a pair of bright green eyes.

'What are you doing here?' James asked in shock, letting her in. Lily landed her broomstick gracefully on James's bed.

'Too bored. Wanna help you unwrap some presents,' the girl sighed in reply.

'Worst luck. It's all done and finished.'

'I know,' Lily said gloomily. 'Aha! I'll give you another present!'

'Oh, no!!! my hands are dreafully tired now!' James moaned.

'Please? Pretty, pretty please? You might like it,' Lily said. James groaned. One more wouldn't hurt, though, so…

'Well… I guess one more wouldn't kill me,' James said slowly. 'So what is it?' Lily isn't carrying anything with her. Maybe she'll get something from her Psychic powers…?

'This,' Lily whispered softly, leaning to kiss him on his lips.

James blinked. Once. Twice.

'Are you sure you're the Lily I knew for fourteen years? Or are you an alien inhabiting her body?' James asked, when they pulled apart.

'Lily Evans, the one and only,' Lily grinned.

'Yeah right. How should I know?' James challenged. Lily thought this for a while.

'I don't know,' she said finally. 'My mother's name?'

'Well, one way to find out,' James said.

'How?'

'First one to reach the Quidditch pitch is the next captain when our current one retires!' James said, jumping onto his broom, which jumped suddenly into view from under his bed.

'You're on!' Lily cried, shooting out of the window for the midnight Quidditch game.

Five seconds later…

'Jam? You talking to someone?' Sirius mumbled sleepily, drawing James's curtains aside, only to find an empty bed, a pile of presents and the crumpled present wrappers. 'I guess I'm thinking too much that even thought Lily was here,' he yawned tiredly, stumbling back.

AN: Amazing! I actually did chapter 9!!!! *did a small dance around happily* aren't you all celebrating with me??? Well, forget it, I know you won't. If you will, just dance along!!! *trips over feet* ow! Sorry, am a bad dancer ^^; I couldn't even dance, for crying out loud!

Like I said, I did tried making it into a romance type. Whether I succeed or fail, it's up on you to decide, cause I had just decided that I failed. O_o really!!!! There's no real romance in this series, I guess, cause I get goose-pimples these days when you say romance. Don't get me wrong, but I do have different feelings and I do have different types of myself! It's just that humour just went by [*sniffle* bye bye… am gonna miss you…] and I hate this sort of stories now. Guess!! Not gonna? Well, I'll tell you anyway. It's those boring mystery types. I hate mystery, and I hate it even more if what I write ended up in one! It simply robs off the fun!

Sorry for the babbling J you must be pretty bored now, but I still have loads for the coming chapter's notes!!! So be aware for it!!!! :P ta-ta people!!!!!!!!!!