Author's Note:
Reviews and Comments: To Bellmel: Yes, I loved writing the origin story of the map! The Marauders would 100% admire how Harry uses it. Yeah, didn't give Peter much on the creation, outside of him having discovered a few of the secret passageways. Sirius' solution to getting to many detentions is definitely to just get better at sneaking around while pranking lol. The "notice how when it's an insult" is one of my favourite lines too! Thanks for loving Sirius and Lily together, it's fun to show them having fun. Yes, sarcastic and sassy Lily! I like to think it's where Harry gets his sass from. Thank you! To Lyze Arcane Peverell: Thank you! I like the idea of Peter liking his nickname and of course he's liked by the Marauders. They were best friends which is why his betrayal is that much more painful. Yes, I googled what "padfoot" meant and found all sorts of interesting things. Thank you! To threereasonswhy: Yup! I think because the map was created from a part of his magic, it picked up on his love for Lily. Yes, lots of Jily to come! I love that my fanfiction is so addictive! Thank you! To Sets: Thank you and yes, it is interesting isn't it? Remus, I think was too heartbroken at the time, but no, McGonagall understands his heart better than most. Thank you. To alix33: As in a charm to cover a large area (i.e. all of Hogwarts). I'm glad you liked the origin story of the Marauder's Map and Prongs complimenting Lily. Thank you!
To Jellybean: Aww, thank you for saying you're so happy when I upload and then are like a three-year-old throwing a tantrum when you have to wait again! I love that everyone is jumping on the Canadian fanfic dealer train lol. Thank you! To Slaidback: Haha, you're welcome for the hit! Thank you! To ascfan: Yes, even the map knows. Thank you! To ellyan13: No, it's the bogeyman because that's what it meant. Prongs is definitely not majestic enough to suit James lol. I think it insults people because it was made by immature boys. Thank you! To A Huge Fan: Sirius is definitely the wingman and original Jily shipper. Thanks for loving my Sirius and James bromance as well as seeing how Lily and Sirius get along so well as well. Thank you! To saucyswimmer: Thank you! And nope, of course Prongs can't insult Lily, blasphemy really lol. Thank you! To EnigmaticEmperor: Yes, they were very clever and intelligent and I wanted to showcase that. They were very smart, top of their class in many things. I do think Lily fancied James a bit earlier, yes, but she didn't want to admit it until later on. Denial was a big part of Lily's life lol. It was one of the reasons why I had Remus and Sirius tease Harry over his denial of his feelings for Ginny and calling him like his mother in that regard. Thank you!
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Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.
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CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT:
The One With Dream On
April 1977…
Sirius, Remus, James, and Peter stepped into the Gryffindor common room just as Lily, Mary, and Marlene were swaying in the centre of the room. The three of them were belting out the words to a song that Sirius had never heard before.
"Sing with me, sing for the years! Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears! Sing with me, just for today! Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you awa—ayyyy! Yeah, sing with me, sing for the year! Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears; sing with me, just for today. Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away. Dream on. Dream on. Dream on. Dream until your dreams come true. Dream on. Dream on. Dream on. Dream on until your dreams come true. Dream on. Dream on. Dream on. Dream on. Dream on. Dream on. Dream onnnnnnnnnnn!"
At the final note, Marlene was holding her bottle of butterbeer like a microphone and practically screeching on the final notes. Dorcas came down the stairs with her fingers in her ears.
"Good Merlin, I thought I was safe in our room, but clearly I was not."
Marlene made a rude hand gesture and continued to sing.
Lily was singing loudly along with Marlene. If it was possible, she was even worse. She sang very badly and very off key, but was clearly enjoying herself immensely.
"Yo, Evans!" James called out, moving to the wireless to check it out. "Who is this?"
"Aerosmith," Marlene told him, smiling. "Aren't they brilliant? They're from America."
James looked at the album in interest. "I like this one, I like the beat."
Lily pointed her wand at the record player and played back 'Dream On.' "The words to this one are just so beautiful," she said, grinning when Mary took her hand and spun her.
"Half my life is books, written pages; live and learn from fools and from sages," Lily sang as Mary spun her out in a dance. Lily laughed when she found herself in Sirius' arms. "Hi, Black."
"Hi, Evans," he said with a grin, spinning her out again and then back into his arms, dipping her and kissing her forehead, making her laugh.
"Didn't know you were such a great dancer," she said with a grin.
Sirius spun her out and in again. "I took lessons."
Then he spun her around and directly into James, her hands landing on his chest to steady herself. Her fingers trembled against his chest for a moment before James took her hands in his and led her into the next steps, a huge grin on his face.
"We both did." He spun her in a circle and back into his arms. "They aren't The Beatles, but I like this Aerosmith."
Lily smiled at him, resigning herself to dance with him. She had to admit, he was good and she didn't mind James so much when he was calm like this. Not to mention that he smelt rather good, woodsy and cedar and fresh. She caught herself leaning closer and wrinkled her nose.
"Mary's brother introduced her to the music over Christmas break. She was anxious to share it with us. They're pretty great. But I prefer The Beatles too."
James beamed at her. "See, Evans, we're made for each other."
Lily rolled her eyes, ignoring the way her stomach fluttered at his words. She turned back to look at Sirius. "Why did you spin me into him?"
Marlene laughed. "Oh, poor Lily; being forced to dance with the sexiest bloke in school."
Peter laughed, holding his hand out to Mary who accepted and joined the dancing. "Don't say that, Marly, you know who's going to take immediate offence."
"Hey!" Sirius exclaimed, grabbing Marlene and tugging her into his arms as Peter only nodded at Sirius as if to say, see. "That privilege belongs to you, McKinnon, being that you are in MY arms!"
She laughed and looped her arms around his neck. "Oh, my apologies. But who is the star of the Gryffindor Quidditch team?"
"You?"
She grinned and pat Sirius on the cheek. "Good boy."
James spun Lily out and back up against him as the song changed. "Don't worry McKinnon, if his ego gets any bigger he won't be able to fit through the portrait hole."
"Is that why you brewed Shrinking Solution in Potions today?" Lily asked him, a smirk on her lips. "So you could make it up to your dorm without getting your head stuck in the doorway?"
James chuckled. "Nah, I brewed that so I that I could slip it into the soap kept in the Slytherin change rooms. You should have seen the look on Rosier's face when he came out after practice today, hands over his crotch and pale as can be. To be honest, I was surprised his bits could get any smaller in the first place."
Lily rolled her eyes. "Potter! I am a prefect and will have to punish you for that!"
James grinned at her. "Only if you saw it."
Lily opened her mouth to protest and then she sighed. He was completely right. She hadn't witnessed it happening nor had she seen the Slytherins take the potion. She smirked up at him. "How small did they shrink?"
James wiggled his pinky finger. "About half of my pinky finger I imagine; I worked hard on that potion."
Lily's lips twitched, slightly. "I am not amused."
James wiggled his eyebrows. "Sure you're not, Evans." He dipped her back. "A gentlemen might take this opportunity to lean in for a kiss. What do you say, Evans?"
"Kiss me and I'll break your nose, Potter," she shot back, heat searing through her.
James tugged her back up and licked his lips. "Might be worth it."
Lily pushed him away, her eyes twinkling at him. "Mary, start the album over. I want to listen from the beginning while I edit my Potions essay."
"I'll read yours over, Lily," Remus offered, opening his own book bag. "Do you think that you could look over mine as well?"
"Of course, Remus," she said with a smile, her hips still swaying to the beat of the music as she took a seat on the chesterfield.
Sirius plopped down next to Lily with a smile. "Can we play some Queen afterwards? I really like them."
James nodded, moving to tug out his own potions essay. "I vote on The Rolling Stones or Pink Floyd. Listening to some Dark Side of the Moon sounds great at the moment."
Lily smiled at him. "That can definitely be arranged on one condition."
James' eyebrow rose. "Which is?"
"You read over my Transfiguration essay for me?"
James simply grinned. "Anything for you, Evans."
Lily's cheeks heated and she turned away, refusing to let him see her red cheeks. It was unfortunate that he was so good looking because his personality could use some work. He laughed and her stomach fluttered again, making her scowl.
"Traitor," she muttered under her breath and found Sirius grinning at her. "What?"
Sirius winked, his eyes twinkling. "Nothing, Evans. Nothing at all."
Lily absolutely didn't believe him and really didn't want to know what he meant by that.
End Author's Notes:
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the lyrics to "Dream On" by Aerosmith.
Thank you for reading and please review!