Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize from any Harry Potter book. If you don't recognize it: Hey it's mine!
Meh, nothing too exciting added. Mostly grammar and spelling corrections.
Hmmm… I seem to be lacking in reviews… I only got about two each for my last couple of chapters… Something is seriously wrong. Ok, it took me a little longer to upload this chapter. Sorry! I got home at 2:30 after work, and went to bed until 6:30! I meant to have it up by 3 or something… Sorry about that!
I did enjoy my reviews tho! I always will!! So thanks, and please review this chapter as well!
And Zoe Lefebvre – you think I'm gonna put Remus and Donna together, eh? What ever gave you that idea? Hehe…
morgaine – to answer your question from earlier: Lot's of people use Arabella Figg because she's mentioned at the end of GoF. When Dumbledore tells Sirius to go to Lupins, and collect the 'old crew', he mentions Arabella Figg, and Mundungus Fletcher. And, if you recall, Harry's baby sitter (hehe) in the Philosophers Stone (or Sorcerer's Stone if you're in the US), she's Mrs. Figg! So lotsa people just put two and two together! Don't worry – I was out of that loop for a while, too!
Ok! On with the story! This one's here for just a bit oh humour! It's funny, and we all like to laugh! Even if it makes our family think we're nuts! *winks*
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'Five minutes left until Hogsmeade Station,' and bodiless voice echoed through the train, 'will all Prefects please ensure that no student is left aboard, and all luggage is off.' This last part was only heard in the Prefect compartment. Behind the Prefects' chairs, a secret door opened, showing the Head Boy and Girl stepping out of it.
"It's official," Head Girl Amanda Bones, stated, "I'd become Head Girl just for the ride up. Eh there Marcus?"
Marcus Dickens, Head Boy, nodded. "With one exception. I'm Head Boy. I'd want more than just a ride up to be considered Head Girl." Everyone laughed at that.
"Would the ride back, as well, suffice?" Alexis Desjardins, Hufflepuff Prefect, asked.
"Yes – and 2 chocolate frogs, 3 Bertie-Botts Every Flavour Beans," Marcus had now cupped his chin in his right hand, "and if possible, one of Hagrids' treacle tarts."
Everybody in the compartment laughed. It was well known that if you ate, scratch that, took one bite of Hagrids food, you shouldn't expect to open your mouth for a very long time. Very long time. The record holder for that is Sirius. He tried two bites. Ended up in the Hospital Wing. "And that, everybody, is the infamous Ravenclaw wit in action!" Amanda cheered getting a round of applause from the prefects, even the Slytherins, and a bow from Marcus. Amanda herself was from Hufflepuff.
When the train came to a complete stop, Amanda and Marcus opened all the train doors, letting the students off the train, and began to show them to the horseless carriages, minus the first years.
"Lily my dear, that will be me and you next year." James told her as they checked compartments.
"I can only hope James. I'd hate to be Head Girl without you as Head Boy." She winked, and headed off towards the last remaining carriage, allowing James to ponder her last comment. Oh yes, she was having fun.
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"Welcome students! Welcome to yet another year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore greeted. Cheers erupted from every table. "And to our first years," his eyes twinkled at the frightened youngsters at the front, "welcome to your first of seven years here, attending this marvelous school."
A couple of first years clapped, Sirius the loudest, adding a "Hogwarts kicks ass!"
"Mr. Black!" Prof. McGonagall screeched. She had had one too many embarrassing moments from the Marauders. Not so much embarrassing her, but her house. And her house was one of pride, the infamous Gryffindor pride.
"Ah yes, Mr. Black. Kindly seat yourself at your respective table." Dumbledore smiled at Sirius, gesturing to the other Gryffindors.
He started bouncing his way to Gryffindor table. "I thought I might have fooled you this year, Albus!" Sirius exclaimed, saluting the Headmaster, and giving a polite wave at Snape, over at the Slytherin table, and a wink to Malfoy. Snape was currently held with rope, and was beginning to come back to normal.
Dumbledore laughed at Sirius' use of his first name, as did many students. No one except staff used his first name, it was just out of reverence, but Sirius made profound use for it. After the sorting, Gryffindor ended up with some interesting looking students: one with red eyes, another with blue hair, and some freaky albino kid, who Sirius kindly nicknamed 'Pasty'. 'Oh yes,' thought Lily, 'this is going to be an interesting year.
Most of the feast had James, Sirius and Remus reminiscing about their first years. All right, reminiscing might not be the word – lying sounds good. How about finessing the truth? Sound good? Good!
"What I hated most about my first year," Remus said loudly, "was the way all the older students got to steal my pillows and blankets anytime they so chose to. No punishment at all." A couple of first years choked on their food and looked at each other.
"Oh yes! Good point Remus, good friend!" James exclaimed, clapping a hand on his good friends back. "What I hated was how the Professors were able to use their wands as beating sticks..." One of the first years that had been choking had now passed out. Lily, who was trying to ignore the Marauders, caught sight of 'Pasty' falling into her food. "Got a good lashing, I did!" James finished, taking a sip of pumpkin juice.
Sirius was about to open his mouth, when out came from Lily's, "JAMES! Honestly – beating wands? As fun as it is to torture younger children, you took it a step too far." Lily looked at him pointedly. He knew right then why she was made Prefect. He was still confused as to why he was made one though… He now felt horrible. Looking at her mad, pleading, beautiful eyes – he had to stand down.
"Sorry bout that Lily," came Sirius' voice, "James here got a little carried away. Now, as I was about to say – " But with one look from his sister, he stopped. She knew what went on in his mind – hell, it was in her mind as well. She, at least, had the decency to hold it in. And she'd bet all the money in Gringott's bank that Sirius was at least five times worse than James.
Mel and Lily were helping the poor Gryffindor who passed out. She was ok now, but had cream all over her face. 'Well,' Mel thought, 'she'll never forget her first night at school.'
Lily: 'Beating sticks? Even if the idea is funny, it was downright cruel.'
Ara: 'Poor girl. Is she albino? Cool – one of my cats is albino…'
Jen: 'Yuck… how could Sirius be thinking that! Stupid git… why am I related to him… why am I related to him… why am I related to him…'
James: 'Loser. That's what I am. Sorry dad, she thinks I'm a loser.'
Sirius: 'Poor Pasty. Now she's extra pasty! Hehe… Pasty's gone pastier…'
Remus: 'Now I contemplate my friendships. Pros: …'
Peter: 'Looks yummy. Is that lemon cream?'
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"Now that our welcome back feast has finished," Dumbledore began, "I would ask the Prefects to lead their Houses back to their… Houses," he chuckled, "and get everyone into bed. Will the Head Boy and Girl please come to the staff table for a quick meeting? Have a good nights rest." At that, all eight Prefects could be heard calling their Houses to follow them.
Lily decided to lead, and James to take the end. She had her worries about this decision, but figured she'd rather take the faster route there – not show the first years the entire school grounds by taking them on one of James' short cuts. Lily had been on one of those before. McGonagall had had a fit when she and James were late for class last year. Little did she know that James had done that purposely. They never got to spend anytime alone together back then, what with O.W.Ls and everything.
"James – please ensure that no student gets lost. Please?" With that, Lily put on her big puppy dog eyes James had pictured whilst reading her letter.
"Damn." Remus muttered, "I can't even go against those…"
"I know what you mean Moony…" Sirius said, sadness and hopelessness in his voice, "It's not gonna be fun anymore…"
Twenty minutes and four moving staircases later, they reached the portrait hole. "Welcome back, and welcome to the new students. Password?" The fat Lady asked in the only way she knew. Monotone.
"Scarlet." James said. With a wave of her hand, she swung open to reveal the stairs that lead to the Gryffindor Common Room. "Here is where you'll be spending most of your time. Homework, games, parties, ("WOO!" – other Marauders), etc. are usually done down here. No boys in girls dormitories, and vise versa."
"What?" Sirius asked in mocking horror, "You mean no boys in boys dormitories?" He got a few muffled laughs, but that's all he needed. What he didn't need was the smack from Remus.
"And feel free to hit him," Lilt said, looking at Sirius, "anytime you feel the need." It was her turn to add to the speech. James wasn't going to get all the glory. "Girls, your dorms are up the stairs to you left; boys, the same on your right."
"Please don't tell anyone from any other houses our password, or where the portrait hole is. Watch out for Peeves, though. He's the resident Poltergeist." 'Pasty' was about to drop again at the mention of a poltergeist. She was a muggle-born, and had seen the recently released movies (A/N: Poltergeist 1, 2 and 3. Good movies). James wanted to end his speech. He had personal issues with girls. Only the Marauders knew why though. He figured them slightly weaker than men – not in a bad way though. He just felt he had to take extra precautions with them for some reason. "He'll stop at nothing – "
"Except the Bloody Baron." Lily intercepted.
"- to get you lost, and in trouble."
"The password will be changed weekly or whenever James and I see fit. Check the common room bulletin boards for it."
"If there are any problems, please don't hesitate to ask myself or Lily." James felt that his, ahem, their little speech was now at a close. He folded his arms.
"Done yet?" Sirius inquired, getting bored. He hadn't needed to sit through it; but being Sirius, he had to see James acting mature. "I do believe Albus told everyone to get to bed tonight." To get it through their heads that it was obvious they were both trying to get the last word, he pointed at his watch, then at the first years.
"Right," Lily said, "off to bed now, you want to get some rest for your first big day!" She smiled at everyone warmly. She then chanced a look at James that playfully read 'I won the war.' Lily led the girls to their dorms before James could have a say.
"Looks like Lily won, Prongs." Peter said. He watched the entire thing alongside Sirius. Remus went upstairs when he saw that it was going to take a while for James and Lily to finish. There was a full moon coming up. This also meant that Donna would be getting testy, and more withdrawn.
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:) Hope you liked it! Onto Chapter 8!
