A/N: Just a few things before you read the next chapter that I thought you should know.
Yes I do write somewhat serious fanfic but that's just the type of writer that I am, but I do put a lot of humour into my stories as well, because it balances the life of the story. Hey its just like real life, you get it all, happiness, sadness, comedy, hatred, love, etc.
Honestly though, if the story calls for a serious chapter that's what I'll write, and it works the same way for any other type of emotion or feeling. Also, the story may seem kind of plot less, but there is a plot that I'm going by it's just gonna be a few chapters until you see it. Honestly there is method to my madness. The beginning chapters do tie into later chapters, I'm giving you all pieces of a very big puzzle and by the end of my story I'm hoping you'll have a beautiful picture of the story.
Ok now I am just gonna thank my first two reviewers for leaving me a few lines of what they thought.
Reader: Thank you for your review it made my day to see I had received a review just a day after I posted the story. I also wanted to ask you why you recommend that; I'm truly interested in hearing why you feel the first year shouldn't be written about. If you can just e-mail me your reason and I will take it into consideration, because as I said its my first time writing for this fandome and I would like to know if most readers feel this way as well. Anyways toodles for now, and I hope you enjoy the rest of my story.
Hermione's evil twin: Thank you so much for actually reviewing my summary. I so wasn't expecting that at all. I am very glad you thought that the summary was good, cause as I said I really didn't think it was that well written. You are too sweet, I'm so glad you love the story so far, and yes I'll be posting as fast as possible but you have to remember that you can never rush a good thing. The first chapter took me three days to write, so it will most likely take me around the same amount of time. I'm also thrilled to hear that it's very original because I worried about that. Oh and I'm sure you could write even better then me lol. It doesn't take that much, you just have to have something you want to say, and then you just go from there, but really thank you for that little tidbit, it helps to inflate my head somewhat. Well hope to hear what you think of this chapter, and the third chapter will be out with in the next couple of days I'm hoping. Toodles.
Ok, now with out further ado, and more of my rambling I present to you the second chapter of A light in the Darkness.
Chapter Two Pranks 'R' Us"James, its time to wake up."
Mrs. Clair Potter's agitated voice came through the closed bedroom door.
"Mum! It's the summer hol's, I'm aloud to sleep late."
James's muffled sleep filled voice rang out in his disgustingly dirty room. Taking his pillow he covered his head and rolled over thinking that his mum would leave it at that. The sound of the bedroom door being thrown open made James jump up in his bed, and his eyes darted around the room franticly.
"Wha…what? What's wrong, has the new house-elf Dobby set fire to the house again?"
James asked his mother franticly, when he noticed her standing in the doorway, and boy if looks could kill, he'd have been dead and buried by now. Smiling sheepishly he grabbed his glasses from the end table by his bed and placed them on his boyishly cute face. James had just turned eleven that past May, and even at his young age, he was already showing signs of becoming a ruggedly handsome young man, just like his father Mr. Tomas Potter. James was somewhat tall for his age, standing at 5'4 and he had bright blue eyes. His hair was black, and it never lay nice and neat, even when he brushed it, it just fell all over the place, going in every direction, and a tuff of hair always seemed to fall in front of his eyes. It had been just his luck to inherit the Potter family hair.
"So…umm, err. I take it the house isn't on fire mum?"
James said, making sure not to look at Mrs. Potter's eyes. Her eyes were the exact opposite of her son's, they were deep amber brown, which seemed to match her brown curly locks of hair, which framed her small and dainty face. She was 5'6, and slim from working as an Auror for the Ministry. James's father thought her to be the most beautiful creature he had ever met, and he showed her how much he loved her all the time. James found his parents shows of affection disgusting, but that was to be expected from an eleven-year-old boy.
"James Potter, look at this room! Its disgusting, I thought I told you to clean it."
"err…you did."
"So why isn't it clean. You know the Black's and Lupin's are coming for dinner tonight."
Cringing, James looked down and began to pick at his comforter. His mother could always reduce the great James Potter to a snivelling three year old.
"Well, err, you see, its really quite funny mum."
"Well then please tell me just how funny it is."
With that said, Mrs. Potter crossed her arms in front of her, and preceded to tap her foot in impatience.
"Umm…you see, yesterday when you asked me to clean my room, I was kinda busy with this thing, Sirius, Rumus and I are working on. I didn't get the chance to tell the house-elves that my room needed a good clean until I went to bed. But they were to have it done by morning mum, honest. They do it when I'm sleeping all the time, I mean all it takes is the snap of their fingers or something like that, and everything is done. I just don't understand why they didn't do it."
He finished his story quickly noting the pretty shade of red Mrs. Potter was turning. James had no idea what he had said to anger her so, and an angry Mrs. Potter was not a pretty sight to behold.
"James Godric Potter! I TOLD YOU TO CLEAN THIS ROOM, NOT THE HOUSE-ELVES."
Mrs. Potter yelled in exasperation.
"But mum, their house-elves, that's what they do. You know cleaning and stuff, it's their job."
"Your right James, they do clean the house, but it's not fair to make such a mess and then have them clean it. That's why I've ordered them not to clean your room when you ask. You my son, will do it your self with out help, and hopefully you'll think before throwing your things around next time."
Mrs. Potter's voice had softened, when she told James this. As angry as she was, she still loved her only child very much, and she knew that this punishment would teach him to respect those who were in your service. After all if you're not willing and able to do the work your servants do, then it isn't fair to make them do it.
"Mum, are you mad, it'll take me hours to clean this room."
James wailed. For an eleven year old, he sure could sound like he was five again.
"Perhaps next time, you'll keep it neat and clean. Now I suggest you get up and start this job James, because if it's not done by the time our guests arrive, then Remus, and Sirius will not be staying with you for the summer. Close your mouth James, I don't want to hear you plead your case. I'm your judge, jury, and executioner, and my verdict stands. Clean this mess, or your friends leave when their parents do." Clair Potter said in a matter of fact type voice, then she turned closing the bedroom door behind her. James mouth was still open, but he hadn't uttered a sound. His mum had set the law, and there was no way to change it once set. Sighing in defeat, James jumped from his bed, and then preceded to tread carefully across the floor, he really didn't feel like tripping on all the junk that lay about. Looking around the room in horror, he wondered where to start, and if he would be able to finish this monstrous task before the Black's and Lupin's arrived.
"BLOODY HELL! I'LL NEVER FINISH BEFORE THEY GET HERE!"
James yelled in frustration.
James looked up at the sound of the wizard clock in the hallway. It chimed, letting everyone in the house know that the Lupin's and Black's had arrived.
"Just great, I've spent the whole day cleaning and I'm still not even close to being done yet. Mum's not going to like this."
He muttered, while standing and brushing his cloths off.
"Begging your pardon young master."
A squeaky little voice came from behind him. James jumped and spun around in fright, only to come face to face with the little greyish house-elf standing behind him.
"AHHGGGG…Don't do that. Hey aren't you our new house-elf that's always setting fire to the kitchen?"
"Yes young master, but Dobby no meaning it sir."
James eyes grew wide and he yelled.
"DOBBY…NO DON'T!"
He grabbed the book Dobby had picked up to hit himself over the head with.
"Dobby is bad though sir, for setting fire to your beautiful house. Dobby must be punished most grievously sir."
Dobby said with conviction.
"Your just a little bit accident prone, it's really nothing to go hitting yourself over the head for. I mean look at me, I'm the biggest accident walking around here, and with all the things I pull I'm surprised I haven't set fire to the house yet."
"But you're a wizard, sir."
"A wizard, but I'm not even finished school yet. Bloody hell I haven't even started school yet, so I'm really not a wizard yet, if you think about it."
"Oh but young master you are a wizard."
"Alright, alright. If you want to be that way about it fine. But all I'm saying is that I don't know all that much magic yet. And Dobby call me James, not young master or sir."
"Oh but sir, Dobby can't do that."
James rolled his eyes, he hadn't realized that speaking with a house-elf was so exasperating. He had always just told them what he needed done, and then they would do it, but actually talking to one, was much different then just giving them orders. James's heart gave a little pang of guilt. This was what his mum was trying to teach him and it had worked. James now had a new respect for the house-elves that served his family loyally. James looked at Dobby trying to find some way to make him understand, his request, when he heard the sounds of running footsteps coming up the stairs fast. Ignoring it, he continued.
"Of course you can Dobby. Just say James. Trust me, everyone does it, it's really not that hard."
The bedroom door flew open just then and two boys ran into the room. The first boy was 5'4 and he had deep blue eyes that twinkled with humour and mischief. His hair was black and very neat. This boy was defiantly going to be a ladies man, when he was older. The second boy was a bit smaller then the first, he stood at 5"2. His eyes were sad and grey, like a stormy sky. He was thin and frail looking, but he was far from being weak. He had a whole mop of hair on his head that was a beautiful sandy blond.
"OY…James, this room is disgusting. It reminds me of me own room."
Sirius Black, who had been the first boy to enter said, while pretending to wipe tears from his eyes. James and the second boy Remus Lupin rolled their eyes at sirius and his so called humour.
"You see Dobby. Even sirius here, who has nothing but air in his head can call me james, so I know you can do it since you are smarter then him."
Remus was on the floor howling with laughter, at the look on sirius's face.
"I resent that jamesie. I have more then just air in my head, and when I figure out what it is, I'll be sure to let you know."
Sirius said with laughter in his eyes, even though he tried to sound upset and serious. Unfortunately his words had the opposite affect then what he had been aiming for. James now was laughing loudly as well, and remus seemed to be laughing even harder, which was causing tears to pour from his grey eyes and run down his pale cheeks. Sirius looked at them in disgust.
"WHAT? What did I say."
He yelled trying to get their attention. Remus looked at him while still laughing and answered.
"Oh come on, sirius you're not really that daft are you? Think about what you just said, and then you'll see what's so funny."
"Ha, ha, ha. Remus, I meant to say that. Now come on you two, get up off the floor, and start cleaning this room. You heard what Mrs. Potter said, if jamesie boy here hadn't finished his room by the time we got up here."
Both James and Remus sat up, holding their sides from laughing so much. Each of the boys took in the room, which looked worse then when James had started cleaning in the morning.
"James, have you not done anything since your mum told you to clean your room this morning."
Remus asked in shock. There were three huge piles of cloths in the centre of the room. On his king size bed, lay all of the waiting to be used dung bombs, filibuster fireworks, no-heat fireworks, Dr. filibusters fabulous wet-start, trick wands, and many more items that a prankster could wish for.
"Of course I started this morning, you can see my floor now can't you?"
James said irritably while throwing his arms in the air, and surveying the room.
"Oh Merlin! It looks worse then when I started. Mum's not gonna let you guys stay."
"Oh james, look behind you. You see that little fella there, well he is a house-elf, and they actually clean things for you. So no worries just ask him, and then we will all have the best summer ever. I mean what would summer be with out the three of us causing trouble."
"SIRIUS! I KNOW WHAT A HOUSE-ELF IS, BUT MUM TOLD THEM NOT TO CLEAN MY ROOM FOR ME. I HAVE TO DO IT ON MY OWN. THEY'VE ALL BEEN ORDERED NOT TO LISTEN TO ME."
Sirius and remus faces both fell, with that news. The room would never be clean by the time Mrs. Potter came up to check, even if two hands had now turned in to six.
"OY, James, this was going to be the greatest summer of pranks Godric's hollow had ever seen. Why this summer James? Why?"
Sirius cried. Remus remained silent, looking at the ground, trying hard not to let the disappointment get to him. The boys didn't notice that Dobby was still in the room, they were too preoccupied with their dashed hopes of a prank filled summer.
"Begging you pardon sir…err…I mean James, but mistress Potter, didn't give Dobby any such order."
Dobby said hesitantly. All three boys turned wide eyes towards the house-elf. This would solve their little problem quickly. Just then, the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs flowed through the still open door. Their eyes all flew to the door with dread.
"James, quick tell him to clean the room before your mum gets here."
Remus hissed under his breath. James turned back to Dobby, and looked at him with guilt etched in his blue eyes. His mother's words were running through his head, it wasn't fair to do this but it was for Remus and Sirius. Just this one last time he thought.
"Dobby…please can you clean the room quickly. I'll never ask you to do it again."
James whispered hurriedly. He knew his mum had just reached the landing. Dobby remained very still, while he looked at his young master, with out saying a word he snapped his fingers, and vanished in a cloud of smoke. James, Remus, and Sirius stared at the spot where Dobby once stood, in shock. It looked like their summer fun would be ending before it even started.
Mrs. Potter had excused herself, to go check on the boys, and make sure James had finished with his room. She took the stairs slowly, making sure to tread heavily on them, she wanted them to hear her coming. That way when she reached James's room, she would be able to tell if they had been up to any new tricks. They always looked so guilty when they were trying to hide something. When she reached the top of the stairs, she quickly walked to the second door on the left, and stopped in the doorway. A gasp of complete shock left her mouth as she stared at the room.
"James, you've done a wonderful job dear. The way the room looked this morning, I never thought you'd finish by now."
Mrs. Potter said with pride while beaming at her son. It took the boys a minute to realize the changes in the room's appearance. The floor was bare and clean, while the bed was neatly made. All of James's cloths now hung in his closet with the trunk of pranks at the bottom. The selves of books were neat and dust free, and two neatly made cots lay against two of the walls. The boys hid their shock well for the very first time in their lives.
"Of course I was going to get it done mum, after all I want Sirius and Remus here for the summer. Honestly mum, I thought you had more faith in me."
James said boldly, while standing up straight and putting on airs of triumph. Sirius and Remus noting James posture and bold voice rolled their eyes, while Mrs. Potter laughed at her son's cheekiness.
"I do have faith in you James. Now boys dinner will be ready in an hour, can you all please try to stay out of trouble at least until tomorrow."
Mrs. Potter asked while giving them all a stern look. The boys just looked at her innocently and grinned.
"Yes mum no trouble until tomorrow, besides I'm tired from all the cleaning."
"OY, Mrs. Potter, I'm shocked, us cause trouble. No, no, no. We are perfect little angels."
"More like perfect little devils Sirius."
Mrs. Potter laughed at Sirius, and the word angel being applied to the three of them.
"We won't get into any mischief tonight Mrs. Potter. I'll make sure of it."
"Thank you Remus, and I'll hold you to that."
Mrs. Potter smiled, and then left the boys to their own devises.
The boys watched her go, and even when she was out of sight, they still didn't say a word or move from their positions on the floor. They could hear Mrs. Potter's heels clicking lightly as she made her way down the stairs and then over the marble flooring in the front hall. The sounds of their parent's laughter reached their ears as Mrs. Potter opened the door to the lounge and then the laughter stopped. James looked at Remus and Sirius, and all three boys breathed a sigh of relief. They had all thought that Mrs. Potter would catch them asking the house-elf to clean the room, but it looked as if luck was on their side tonight.
"I thought Dobby had just vanished with out him doing what I had asked him to do."
"I think we all did. Hey at least we really do know that they can just snap their fingers and every things clean."
Sirius said. Then he grinned evilly and ran from the room, but before he disappeared from sight he yelled over his shoulder.
"Remus, James, wait till you see what I got. I just have to run down and get it, wouldn't do any good to have the parents find it before we've had time to look at it."
James and Remus looked at each other and shrugged. They could always count on Sirius having something up his sleeve, even if it did mean they would most likely be caught. James went over to his bed and sat down to await Sirius's return, Remus soon followed. Both boys sat and watched the door avidly hoping to get a look at whatever Sirius had brought with him. Sirius entered a few minutes latter carrying a very large and heavy book.
"Really Sirius, a book. Never took you for one of the written word."
Remus snickered. James laughed out loud while Sirius just glared at Remus.
"I do to read Remi."
"Sure you do Si, and did you know that I'm not really a werewolf."
"Ha, ha, very funny Remi. I'll have you know, that this book will make us Gods at Hogwarts in September."
James, and Remus's eyes brightened at the mention of Hogwarts, and their minds began to fly with excitement.
"What is it Sirius?"
Sirius walk over to the bed slowly, while humming a little tune and enjoying the looks on James, and Remus's faces. When he finally reached the bed, he dropped the heavy tomb on the bed, they all watched as it bounced twice before lying still.
"Just read the title James, and you'll find out. You too Remus."
Two sets of eyes grew wide, as they read the title. Sirius had out done himself this time, they both thought. This book was going to make them famous at school, and in Godric's hollow over the summer. All their eyes began to twinkle with mischief as their smiles grew to the whole size of their faces.
"OY Jamesie, your mum said no pranking till tomorrow, but I don't believe she said no planning of said pranks."
Sirius said with over zealous excitement.
"You're right, she didn't Sirius. Remus, go get some parchment from my desk. Oh and don't forget the quill and ink, we have some reading to do guys, and tomorrow we try out what we read tonight."
"Then why do you need to write down anything James, we'll have the book."
Remus asked, while rummaging through the desk.
"Remus is right James. We'll have that book, and I know dad will never miss it. I found it in the attic under years worth of dust."
"We need it because we are gonna think up the greatest prank ever, and we will do it at the start of term feast, right after we've been sorted into our houses. Hogwarts is never gonna know what hit them. You said it yourself, Sirius, we'll be Gods. What better way then to start our first year, by becoming Gods on our very first night."
James whispered, just in case any ears were listening.
Remus's came rushing over with the parchment and quills, with excitement barely concealed in his grey eyes. Sirius just looked at James with a huge smile, and then slapped his back hard and laughed.
"I knew your brain would come in handy one of these days."
They all grinned at each other, then got down to kneel by the bed, and they opened the book to the first page, and began to read.
Later that night, as the manor began to quiet down for bed, three boys talked in hushed tones while they went over the pranks they had planed for the morning. In a weeks time it would be the first of July, and two months from then, they would be making their way to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but all that was forgotten for the moment as they whispered to each other.
"James, Godric's Hollow is going to remember us all year long after we get through with them."
Sirius said in a hushed excited voice.
"Yup they will, and I'm also sure we'll all be in trouble by ten tomorrow morning. Mrs. Flute will march right over here to rant and rave about her beautiful garden. Mum won't be too happy, but it's never stopped us before. Do you think the shrinking powder, you took from your mum's cupboard will really work Remus?"
James asked.
"It'll work, trust me. I've seen it in action with my own eyes, and its something awful. Mrs. Flute is going to want to hex us and curse us from now into next week."
Remus replied with laughter in his voice. He could see Mrs. Flute now, running down the street with wand at the ready cursing up a storm, as she would be trying in vain to get the little no good tyrants for turning her garden into seedling all over again.
"So it's settled. We hit Mrs. Flute with the shrinking powder first thing in the morning since it'll take a good two hours to take affect."
Sirius said gleefully, while bouncing up and down a bit. James and Remus just shook their heads at the way Sirius could act as though he were still two, instead of eleven.
"Right, and then from their we go down to Marcus Wills book shop, and set off our No-Heat Fireworks. He'll die, when he thinks all his precious books are going to catch fire. We'll have to watch the show from the other side of the street. Should prove entertaining with the way the place is going to light up."
James said, while stifling a laugh, by clamping his hand over his mouth. Sirius snickered at the thought of old man Marcus, and his babies. He was going to kill them if he ever got the chance after they pulled that particular prank.
"Alright! Those are the big ones for tomorrow, but we'll still do the usual in between. Dung-bombs, trick wands, oh and we have to send a howler to the greasy git, cause we haven't bugged him in a while."
Remus said while smiling evilly. James and Sirius nodded in total agreement to Remus's little plan. Serverus Snape had become their main target three years earlier when they all met at a Ministry Party, their parents had brought them too.
"Sirius, Remus, we should really try to get some sleep, it's already after two, and we have to be up with the sun. We're not going to get very much sleep tonight."
"I agree Jamesie boy. Night you two, I'm off to dream of all the trouble I can cause."
Sirius said, in a singsong voice, as he skipped off to his bed against the far left wall. Rolling his eyes, Remus stood along with James.
"Night James, see you when the cock crows."
"You too Remus, sleep well. Night Sirius."
James whispered, but his words fell on deaf ears. Sirius was already sound asleep with a sly mischief type smile on his face. James climbed into bed, and then turned to look at Remus, who was just getting under the covers.
"I don't know how he does it Remi. One second he's awake, and then the next he's already in dreamland."
James said in amazement.
"That's just Si, James. Nothing he does now shocks or amazes me anymore. It really shouldn't amaze you James, you've known each other since birth. If anything, you should be shocked when he does something un-sirius like."
Remus laughed, before snuggling down into his bed, and closing his eyes. James just sighed at his words, and lay down to get some sleep as well. After all tomorrow was going to be a busy day. As sleep claimed James's tired mind, he forgot all about the sheet of parchment and the old book that still lay in the middle of the room, on the floor. They had all been so busy going over tomorrow's pranks that they had forgotten about The Book Of Marauders Past, and the greatest prank they were likely to ever pull in their young lives. Look out Hogwarts, a new generation was coming, and they were going to leave their mark, and that mark would remain for years to come
A/N: YEAH! I'm done the chapter finally. It took me a little longer then I first thought it would, but I'm happy with it, and I hope you all liked it, and if you did please let me know. Hey even if you didn't I'd like ya to let me know why, so I wont make the same mistakes twice, well bye for now. Oh and the next chapter should be up in the next three days.