Chapter 9. Leaf & the birth of the Marauders
"They what?" cried Remus.
"They what, that's what." replied Sirius, shaking his head.
"Are you guys talking in codes? If you are, don't. I'm tired of hearing what what and what." cried Hannah.
"I can't believe they broke up." cried Felicity. "After the happenings from last year, I thought they stick together firmly."
"Perhaps they will just be back together again later on!" cried Peter, in a hopeful voice.
"Don't you put too much hope on it. I've never seen James arguing with a girl like that. Even with a boy, he just yell a few senctence and then it's prank time." said Sirius.
"Let's just watch them, don't try to 'help' 'cause it never works." said Remus, especially to Sirius.
"Hey!" cried Sirius annoyed. "All I've done was a little bit..."
"A little bit??" said Felicity, encouraging him to go on. Then Sirius stopped.
"Not fair! Last year Remus promise to tell us! Remus!!!" cried Felicity, pulling his arm.
"Well, okay. Before we came to Hogwarts, Sirius was going to help his cousin, Jeff to chase a girl. However, after Sirius 'tips' about writing love howlers to her, the girl didn't even talk to Jeff. Soo....." Remus was unable to continue as Sirius glared at him.
"I told him to do somethin' wild around her and I suggested writing owls would be a good start. How did I know he would sent howlers?" explained Sirius, who was very annoyed.
"Don't say anything about owls around James!" warned Peter.
"Why? What's the matter about owls?" asked Hannah. "He's got an owl of his own and...."
"No, no not that kind. Owls, like Howlers?" explained Peter.
"Oh, I get it. But why James' so touchy about it?" asked Remus.
"Well, I dunno if I should tell or not. Maybe James would like it." said Peter, looking a bit frightened.
"Did he told you that it was a secret?" asked Hannah.
"Well, he did told me not to...."
"So it's a secret right? All secrets go out after some time. The matter is only when. So you should tell us." said Felicity. The other four stared at her.
"What?" she cried. "Isn't it true?"
"Okay okay. No one's blaming you." said Sirius.
"Do you think I should tell?" asked Peter.
"YES!"
"Er..... all right. A few days ago James found out........"
************
The news of Lily and James broke up spread everywhere in the second year. However, no one knew the real reason except for the seven friends. It was quite obvious. James didn't pair off with Lily as before and didn't even talked to her. Lily was just the same. She was awfully white and quiet these days.
"How's Lily?" asked Remus.
"Better, but still in the 'silent' status." explained Hannah.
"Things aren't good for James either. He just fly off alone wherever he can." said Sirius.
"Did he talked about it?" asked Hannah.
"Nope. Not a word." said Peter, shaking his head.
"This is getting insane. When is this going to end?" asked Felicity.
"Unless that guy who wrote those owls own up quick, those two will be stuck in their world." said Remus. Little did he know that that guy 'Leaf'' was going to own up sooner than he thought.
*************
Dear Lily,
You haven't reply any of my owls, perhaps you aren't ready to talk yet.
I think you may be curious who am I. Well, if you really want to know, come with your owl on your broom at midnight. I hope you will come alone.
Yours
Leaf.
What am I going to do? Thought Lily. Go or not go?
Go.
Don't go.
Go.
Don't go.
Go.
Go then, she thought. She was way too curious to stop herself. She wondered if she should tell her friends.
No, they will just tell the boys she thought. She sighed.
************
"Snowy? Where are you going?" asked Lily as her owl was flying around the school for a few rounds. Everyone was asleep and Lily had used a spell to let no one hear her movements. Snowy looked around and when she saw a pond near Hagrid's hut, she hooted and flew down. Lily followed. The moonlight was shining on the water and everything was so quiet except for the sounds of the insects around.
"Hello?" called Lily. No answer. She waiting. Then something caught her eye. There was a white waterlily. There was lots of leafs on the pond but only one flower. As the moon shone at the pond, the reflection of the light on the pond glittered like stars, and the lily was like a fairy with pale light surrounding it.
Lily was so fascinated in the view that she didn't know someone was behind her.
"There are so many to choose from..... so why be sad when one leaves?" said a voice. Lily turned and gasped.
"I thought you would guess. However, perhaps this is better." said Justin, looking at Lily deeply in the eye. Lily felt as if he could looked through her.
"You know, I've already chased all the girls in second year, including Hannah and Felicity. However, there is still one. The last and the real one I want." said Justin in a low voice. Lily was too stunned to move. That girl was.....
"It is you. I knew you would be the hardest to chase and the one that I really liked. Now, you've already broke up with James. So, do I have a chance?" he asked.
"I don't want to talk about this kind of thing anymore." said Lily softly. "I'm tired of all this."
"I wouldn't force you now, but I really hope you could think about it." said Justin. He kissed Lily softly on her forehead then left. Lily knelt down and unable to take all this. She stared at the pond, trying to look for an answer.
**********
"Can I sit here?" asked Justin in the morning, chosing a seat in between Lily and Hannah. Clarissa was nowhere to be seen.
"If you like." said Hannah coldly. They broke up? Thought Lily.
"So, you'd like to go to the library with me, Hannah?" asked Justin cheerfully.
"Thanks, but no thanks." said Hannah. "If you don't mind, Lily, I'm going to finish my breakfast outside." She picked up her plate and globlet then left.
"What happened to Hannah?" asked Felicity, who was sitting next to Lily. Lily shrugged and continued to toy with her food.
"Lily, you thought about the question I asked you yesterday?" asked Justin. Lily didn't respond and kept on playing her food, and occactionaly ate a bite.
"I hate to you see this way." he said in a low voice. No respond. Justin looked at Lily for a long time. Then he shook up.
"Everyone!" he shouted. "I hereby declare...."
"No!" cried Lily.
"Declare that I'm chasing the last girl and the girl I really want in second year: Lily Evans!" he shouted. Everyone was shocked. Then everyone was deep in conversation. Lily didn't dare to look at others. Felicity was the only one who was calm. She kindly told her what was going on.
"All others are whispering again. Sirius and Remus was shocked. I think it's because of Justin's sudden announecncment. Peter is glaring at Justin, if you call that a glare. As for James..... " she paused. Then she bravely continued. "He looked calm, as if nothing happened. Too cool if you ask me....."
Lily felt heart broken. James didn't even care now, she thought.
"I'm going to lesson early. You don't need to come. I want to be alone." said Lily.
************
"Can I group with you, Lily?" asked Justin.
"If you wish." said Lily. Justin happily sat down. The rest of the lessons were pretty boring. The only conversations that the two held was,
"Pass the jar over there please."
"Could you bring me some potions from others? I don't think we have enough."
"Would you mind writing it down please?"
"I'm sorry, but can you sit a little bit further from me? There isn't enough room for me."
Justin tried to start talking, but Lily was just giving short answers. He didn't ask any Yes No questions. He couldn't ask anything. In fact, it was like this.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes."
"Do you think the potion is too thick?"
"I dunno."
"Do you know where my wand is?"
"I dunno."
"Do you know my name?"
"I dunno."
"Are you a witch or a wizard?"
"I dunno."
"Are you a girl?"
"I dunno."
This kind of conversation continued for a few minutes and Justin finally give up. He didn't force Lily to talk. When Lily thought that he was going to give up, she didn't stop Justin to be with her that much. However, later on she found out Justin will continue chasing her even if she lost her voice completely.
*********
"Why Clarrisa don't stop him?" cried Lily after Justin said good night to her and went back to the boy's dorm. The girls also headed for their dorm.
"Actually, do you think Justin will stop chasing you if Clarissa stop him?" asked Felicity.
"No.... but at least she could say something." said Lily. "Clarissa had a crush or this is real?"
"To Clarissa? Real. To Justin? I don't think so. I think he treats her like a friend, but nothing else. They do nothing like boy and girl friends should do." explained Felicity.
"He is getting very very annoying. I can hardly be friends with James even I want to." said Lily with a sigh.
********
"You guys, I have a terrific idea..." started James.
"Huh?" asked Remus, looking up from a book.
"You know, we four are prankers and we call ourselves the Marauders. But how about we make it as a real club for just the four of us? We could make plans for each month. For example, Prank for the month! We can play pranks on Snape or anyone on one day of each month! We can leave something behind that represents us, like a sign. What do you say?" asked James excitedly.
"Brilliant, James!" cried Sirius.
"Only four of us?" asked Peter.
"Who you want to add?" asked Remus.
"Well, no one particiarly but don't you think er..... Felicity or some others should join?" asked Peter timidly.
"Well, I don't see why not..." started Sirius. Remus stopped him.
"I think we should wait for a little bit and decided later. That's fine with you, James?" asked Remus.
"Fine with me." said James.
"Chess, Peter?" asked Sirius.
"Okay." replied Peter. "Accio Wizard Chess!" The two moved to the other side the their dorm to play.
"You're not planning the club just because you want to play tricks on Justin, do you?" asked Remus. James frowned.
"No. Why should I?" he asked, playing with his wand.
"Nothing. I just think that you would just want to play a few on him for.... revenge?" he said slyly, looking at James.
"Aren't you afraid that I'm going to flew in a temper?" asked James dangerously. Remus just laughed as if James was joking.
"Oh, of course I'm afraid. But on that day when Justin announenced about his chase, you just acted cool as if nothing happened. So if that can't poke you to throw in a temper, how can I?" he asked. James was quiet for a moment.
"I dunno why I was so cool. I surprised myself too you know. However, in my mind, I was hitting him hard, fighting with him." said James thoughtfully.
"Oh?" said Remus. "So your cool is for Lily?"
"Lily?" asked James, as if he had never heard this name before.
"Perhaps she rather see you angry than seeing you don't care." said Remus.
"You know about the owl thing, do you? Don't you think Lily should be doing this behind my back?"
"What did she do? All I know is that she got a pen pal and it happened to be Justin. If that was other people like me or Sirius or Peter. Would you suppect Lily to flirt?"
"You guys are different!" said James.
"Why?"
"I'm sure you guys would flirt with Lily. Besides, she wouldn't flirt even if you ask her to."
"If you say that, why did you ever suppect Lily to flirt with Justin, who is our 'public lover'? " asked Remus. James was stunned as he realized what he had just said.
"They what?" cried Remus.
"They what, that's what." replied Sirius, shaking his head.
"Are you guys talking in codes? If you are, don't. I'm tired of hearing what what and what." cried Hannah.
"I can't believe they broke up." cried Felicity. "After the happenings from last year, I thought they stick together firmly."
"Perhaps they will just be back together again later on!" cried Peter, in a hopeful voice.
"Don't you put too much hope on it. I've never seen James arguing with a girl like that. Even with a boy, he just yell a few senctence and then it's prank time." said Sirius.
"Let's just watch them, don't try to 'help' 'cause it never works." said Remus, especially to Sirius.
"Hey!" cried Sirius annoyed. "All I've done was a little bit..."
"A little bit??" said Felicity, encouraging him to go on. Then Sirius stopped.
"Not fair! Last year Remus promise to tell us! Remus!!!" cried Felicity, pulling his arm.
"Well, okay. Before we came to Hogwarts, Sirius was going to help his cousin, Jeff to chase a girl. However, after Sirius 'tips' about writing love howlers to her, the girl didn't even talk to Jeff. Soo....." Remus was unable to continue as Sirius glared at him.
"I told him to do somethin' wild around her and I suggested writing owls would be a good start. How did I know he would sent howlers?" explained Sirius, who was very annoyed.
"Don't say anything about owls around James!" warned Peter.
"Why? What's the matter about owls?" asked Hannah. "He's got an owl of his own and...."
"No, no not that kind. Owls, like Howlers?" explained Peter.
"Oh, I get it. But why James' so touchy about it?" asked Remus.
"Well, I dunno if I should tell or not. Maybe James would like it." said Peter, looking a bit frightened.
"Did he told you that it was a secret?" asked Hannah.
"Well, he did told me not to...."
"So it's a secret right? All secrets go out after some time. The matter is only when. So you should tell us." said Felicity. The other four stared at her.
"What?" she cried. "Isn't it true?"
"Okay okay. No one's blaming you." said Sirius.
"Do you think I should tell?" asked Peter.
"YES!"
"Er..... all right. A few days ago James found out........"
************
The news of Lily and James broke up spread everywhere in the second year. However, no one knew the real reason except for the seven friends. It was quite obvious. James didn't pair off with Lily as before and didn't even talked to her. Lily was just the same. She was awfully white and quiet these days.
"How's Lily?" asked Remus.
"Better, but still in the 'silent' status." explained Hannah.
"Things aren't good for James either. He just fly off alone wherever he can." said Sirius.
"Did he talked about it?" asked Hannah.
"Nope. Not a word." said Peter, shaking his head.
"This is getting insane. When is this going to end?" asked Felicity.
"Unless that guy who wrote those owls own up quick, those two will be stuck in their world." said Remus. Little did he know that that guy 'Leaf'' was going to own up sooner than he thought.
*************
Dear Lily,
You haven't reply any of my owls, perhaps you aren't ready to talk yet.
I think you may be curious who am I. Well, if you really want to know, come with your owl on your broom at midnight. I hope you will come alone.
Yours
Leaf.
What am I going to do? Thought Lily. Go or not go?
Go.
Don't go.
Go.
Don't go.
Go.
Go then, she thought. She was way too curious to stop herself. She wondered if she should tell her friends.
No, they will just tell the boys she thought. She sighed.
************
"Snowy? Where are you going?" asked Lily as her owl was flying around the school for a few rounds. Everyone was asleep and Lily had used a spell to let no one hear her movements. Snowy looked around and when she saw a pond near Hagrid's hut, she hooted and flew down. Lily followed. The moonlight was shining on the water and everything was so quiet except for the sounds of the insects around.
"Hello?" called Lily. No answer. She waiting. Then something caught her eye. There was a white waterlily. There was lots of leafs on the pond but only one flower. As the moon shone at the pond, the reflection of the light on the pond glittered like stars, and the lily was like a fairy with pale light surrounding it.
Lily was so fascinated in the view that she didn't know someone was behind her.
"There are so many to choose from..... so why be sad when one leaves?" said a voice. Lily turned and gasped.
"I thought you would guess. However, perhaps this is better." said Justin, looking at Lily deeply in the eye. Lily felt as if he could looked through her.
"You know, I've already chased all the girls in second year, including Hannah and Felicity. However, there is still one. The last and the real one I want." said Justin in a low voice. Lily was too stunned to move. That girl was.....
"It is you. I knew you would be the hardest to chase and the one that I really liked. Now, you've already broke up with James. So, do I have a chance?" he asked.
"I don't want to talk about this kind of thing anymore." said Lily softly. "I'm tired of all this."
"I wouldn't force you now, but I really hope you could think about it." said Justin. He kissed Lily softly on her forehead then left. Lily knelt down and unable to take all this. She stared at the pond, trying to look for an answer.
**********
"Can I sit here?" asked Justin in the morning, chosing a seat in between Lily and Hannah. Clarissa was nowhere to be seen.
"If you like." said Hannah coldly. They broke up? Thought Lily.
"So, you'd like to go to the library with me, Hannah?" asked Justin cheerfully.
"Thanks, but no thanks." said Hannah. "If you don't mind, Lily, I'm going to finish my breakfast outside." She picked up her plate and globlet then left.
"What happened to Hannah?" asked Felicity, who was sitting next to Lily. Lily shrugged and continued to toy with her food.
"Lily, you thought about the question I asked you yesterday?" asked Justin. Lily didn't respond and kept on playing her food, and occactionaly ate a bite.
"I hate to you see this way." he said in a low voice. No respond. Justin looked at Lily for a long time. Then he shook up.
"Everyone!" he shouted. "I hereby declare...."
"No!" cried Lily.
"Declare that I'm chasing the last girl and the girl I really want in second year: Lily Evans!" he shouted. Everyone was shocked. Then everyone was deep in conversation. Lily didn't dare to look at others. Felicity was the only one who was calm. She kindly told her what was going on.
"All others are whispering again. Sirius and Remus was shocked. I think it's because of Justin's sudden announecncment. Peter is glaring at Justin, if you call that a glare. As for James..... " she paused. Then she bravely continued. "He looked calm, as if nothing happened. Too cool if you ask me....."
Lily felt heart broken. James didn't even care now, she thought.
"I'm going to lesson early. You don't need to come. I want to be alone." said Lily.
************
"Can I group with you, Lily?" asked Justin.
"If you wish." said Lily. Justin happily sat down. The rest of the lessons were pretty boring. The only conversations that the two held was,
"Pass the jar over there please."
"Could you bring me some potions from others? I don't think we have enough."
"Would you mind writing it down please?"
"I'm sorry, but can you sit a little bit further from me? There isn't enough room for me."
Justin tried to start talking, but Lily was just giving short answers. He didn't ask any Yes No questions. He couldn't ask anything. In fact, it was like this.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes."
"Do you think the potion is too thick?"
"I dunno."
"Do you know where my wand is?"
"I dunno."
"Do you know my name?"
"I dunno."
"Are you a witch or a wizard?"
"I dunno."
"Are you a girl?"
"I dunno."
This kind of conversation continued for a few minutes and Justin finally give up. He didn't force Lily to talk. When Lily thought that he was going to give up, she didn't stop Justin to be with her that much. However, later on she found out Justin will continue chasing her even if she lost her voice completely.
*********
"Why Clarrisa don't stop him?" cried Lily after Justin said good night to her and went back to the boy's dorm. The girls also headed for their dorm.
"Actually, do you think Justin will stop chasing you if Clarissa stop him?" asked Felicity.
"No.... but at least she could say something." said Lily. "Clarissa had a crush or this is real?"
"To Clarissa? Real. To Justin? I don't think so. I think he treats her like a friend, but nothing else. They do nothing like boy and girl friends should do." explained Felicity.
"He is getting very very annoying. I can hardly be friends with James even I want to." said Lily with a sigh.
********
"You guys, I have a terrific idea..." started James.
"Huh?" asked Remus, looking up from a book.
"You know, we four are prankers and we call ourselves the Marauders. But how about we make it as a real club for just the four of us? We could make plans for each month. For example, Prank for the month! We can play pranks on Snape or anyone on one day of each month! We can leave something behind that represents us, like a sign. What do you say?" asked James excitedly.
"Brilliant, James!" cried Sirius.
"Only four of us?" asked Peter.
"Who you want to add?" asked Remus.
"Well, no one particiarly but don't you think er..... Felicity or some others should join?" asked Peter timidly.
"Well, I don't see why not..." started Sirius. Remus stopped him.
"I think we should wait for a little bit and decided later. That's fine with you, James?" asked Remus.
"Fine with me." said James.
"Chess, Peter?" asked Sirius.
"Okay." replied Peter. "Accio Wizard Chess!" The two moved to the other side the their dorm to play.
"You're not planning the club just because you want to play tricks on Justin, do you?" asked Remus. James frowned.
"No. Why should I?" he asked, playing with his wand.
"Nothing. I just think that you would just want to play a few on him for.... revenge?" he said slyly, looking at James.
"Aren't you afraid that I'm going to flew in a temper?" asked James dangerously. Remus just laughed as if James was joking.
"Oh, of course I'm afraid. But on that day when Justin announenced about his chase, you just acted cool as if nothing happened. So if that can't poke you to throw in a temper, how can I?" he asked. James was quiet for a moment.
"I dunno why I was so cool. I surprised myself too you know. However, in my mind, I was hitting him hard, fighting with him." said James thoughtfully.
"Oh?" said Remus. "So your cool is for Lily?"
"Lily?" asked James, as if he had never heard this name before.
"Perhaps she rather see you angry than seeing you don't care." said Remus.
"You know about the owl thing, do you? Don't you think Lily should be doing this behind my back?"
"What did she do? All I know is that she got a pen pal and it happened to be Justin. If that was other people like me or Sirius or Peter. Would you suppect Lily to flirt?"
"You guys are different!" said James.
"Why?"
"I'm sure you guys would flirt with Lily. Besides, she wouldn't flirt even if you ask her to."
"If you say that, why did you ever suppect Lily to flirt with Justin, who is our 'public lover'? " asked Remus. James was stunned as he realized what he had just said.
