Chapter 3--Charming Atrocities

She peered absently at him from behind, frowning slightly at the relaxed form, cheeks coloring when she realized she'd been staring at him. Genevieve le Mont, known to most as Genn, smiled shyly from above the ridge of her History of Magic book as she got yet another look at the easily sleeping James Potter.

Sirius, taking notice of the look, raised two curious eyebrows and nudged his partner in crime inconsiderately. When the latter did not budge, the young Gryffindor poked him more harshly in the ribs. With a start, and an incoherent mumble, James dared to lift his head and glare morosely at his best friend. Then, just as quickly, he dropped his head back into the cradle of his arms and let lazy lids fall shut. Quite annoyed by then, Sirius proceeded to cruelly cuff him square in the head. "What??" came the irritated growl, though its tone was playful.

Unabashed, Sirius yanked a finely formed finger in Genevieve's direction. "I have a theory, my dear James--it maybe plausible to assume that a certain blonde over there in yonder direction, is feeling quite...emotional over you, mate."

Still weary from sleep, all James managed was an inattentive yawn. Hazel eyes quickly scanned the classroom, not quite capturing Sirius' message, as it was so cryptic, when his gaze stopped suddenly at the sight of a lively young girl. Was *that* who his friend had meant? His eyes widened as he realized who it was he was detachedly studying.

Lily Evans?!

Wait, no, Lily wasn't blonde, well than – Who?

Blinking a few times, he turned, rather startled until he spotted two periwinkle eyes looking avidly in his direction. Having been caught, Genn blushed to very roots of her hair, pushing an idle strand behind her ear as force of habit.

Very much used to the attention he received by most of the girls at Hogwarts, he offered her a slight dutiful smile. He turned in his chair to see his friend, who was quite amused with himself at the moment, and shot him a look worthy of the words 'pure hatred'.

"I just don't know what to do with you sometimes, old chap."

Sirius smiled at James' annoyed whisper, "Beats staring at Lily all the time."

"I wasn't staring…"

"Well, no—you were gawking, got a bit of drool on your shirt there, Potter."

At that point, James hastened to check his chin, just in case he had. Drooled, that is. Not that he'd gawk at the more than overbearing Gryffindor prefect.

"What's this? My goodness, James, I think you've lost your touch. Thankfully, I'm here to bail you out; I haven't lost it, after all." said Sirius teasingly, his dark eyes challenging his friend to come up with some witty retort.

"Mr. Black, care to grace the rest of the classroom with the subject of your indolent chatter with Mr. Potter?" asked the pudgy professor, her hands on her hips as she looked down on the mischievous young man.

"Not really, no sir—may I ask why such a topic would interest you?"

James raised an eyebrow at his seat-mate's words. Where was Sirius trying to get them this time?

"Professor, if I may?"—both Sirius and James turned startled eyes on Lily's interruption. Sirius proceeded to glare suspiciously at her, he was sure she wouldn't miss out on a chance to have them all suspended.

"Yes, Miss Evans?"

"I think what Mr. Black was trying to explain, sir, is that…" Lily trailed off and threw James a poignant look. James, still a bit unsettled at what Lily was doing, only managed a limp nod. At his side, Sirius stiffened. As far as he was concerned, James' nod had signaled their surrender to her. They owed her now. And Sirius loathed it. He hated being indebted to anyone—much more if it was the imperious Lily Evans.

"…What he was trying to say…um, professor—was that he would….no longer want continue to bother the class with—uh, unnecessary comments." That was it. Simple. Typical Lily, not quite a lie, yet not particularly the truth. Being a prefect certainly did come with a handbook of loopholes attached.

"Very well, then," came the teachers weary remark, "Mr. Black, Mr. Potter—kindly keep your mouths from spewing anymore words than they already have." she said and turned her attnetion back to the class who was now engaged in quiet whispers, "Now, with that done, can anyone tell me what differences a goblin rebellion from a goblin revolution? Anyone?"

( * * * )

Finally it was over. It had been about a week, but it was done. For now, at least. Next month he'd have to go through it again. Lupin heaved a grave sigh. And now, to explain to the rest of his friends where'd he'd been the last few days. Sirius would be the hardest to convince. James would back him up, no problem—just offer a helping hand. And Peter…well Peter wasn't really ever aware of anything. Not that he'd want to be. Despite his friendship with the Marauders, he was rather uncomfortable with them at times. Especially with Sirius.

Remus frowned a bit as he thought of his friends. He hated lying to them. He really did. It was getting harder to look them all in the eye—but then, it was either that or revealing what he was. He didn't know how they'd react.

Too submerged in thoughts to be aware of his surroundings, Remus felt a hearty hand alight on his shoulder. "Mornin'" came the gleeful tone.

Startled, Remus managed a thin smile. "Hey there."

Remus chuckled when James ruffled his immaculate hair. That boy—he had a habit of mussing up everyone's hair. Must've come with him tousling his own nearly all the time. Had it been anyone else, Remus' might've been somewhat irked; but James was a good friend.

"How's your mum doing?"

"Huh?"

Remus stared blankly at James' concerned face. My mum?

"Yeah," James made a smooth gesture with his hands, and Remus caught the glint of the snitch reflecting from his enclosed hand, "you know? You said she was sick."

"Oh! My mum…yes, she's doing well—great actually, my visit seemed to make her better."

"When'd you get back?" asked the raven haired Gryffindor curiously, though his attention had once again turned to the glimmering sphere in his hands.

"….uh, just this morning."

"Ah…" James nodded that he understood and stifled a yawn. "Sirius' been rather irritated lately, poor old bloke."

James' laughing expression told Remus that he found the entire situation hilarious. Sirius had a way of blowing things out of proportion. "Something or other with that Callista."

"Sirius? Having girl trouble? By Merlin, has the world stopped turning yet?"

James gave a dismissive wave. "Didn't help that that spell for the staircase only worked for a few seconds. Poor Padfoot, took a terrible fall, he did."

At that precise moment, the devil himself appeared at the doorway. It was Sirius, but the average muggle would've thought differently.

"Hullo, Remus."

Lupin offered his friend an amused smile. He'd wager Lily had been behind Sirius' bad luck with the staircase. She was always behind something.

"Where'd you go this time?" the voice was curious, almost suspicious. Remus' smile trembled precariously for a moment.

"My mum."

"Really now?" there was a hint of disbelief in Sirius' charcoal eyes.

"Yeah—she's getting better now…but I have to got meet with Lily—see you later, Padfoot."

Throwing his two friends a parting glance coupled with a lame attempt at a rushed wave good-bye, Remus hastily exited the Gryffindor common room.

"Did you believe that, James old chap?"

"Not one word, mate."

"My sentiments exactly," as he talked, Sirius shook his head and fell tiredly into the sofa behind him. A few seconds later, James had joined him.

"Every month, isn't it?"

Sirius nodded and added, "Always the same time on the month, too."

"And he's always so peculiar when he comes back."

Sirius chuckled a bit at an idle thought that propped itself in his head. "Do you…" Sirius trailed off.

"Think he's having a 28 day cycle? You know mate, I'm not sure."

"That would explain his attitude sometimes. Never mess with a witch when she's PMS-ing."

"Yea," James offered an agreeing nod, "I heard PMS is all the rage with British women. But, Padfoot, he's a man."

"Are you sure? I mean, positive? Without a shadow of a doubt?" Sirius asked quizzically.

"I mean," James glanced at Sirius playfully, "How long have we really known the guy, anyhow?"

"But seriously now. I don't really know the mechanics of it all. Muggle Studies goes into that…but dear me, that's a boring class if I've ever seen one."

"Not like you've ever spent time in a class long enough to learn anything."

"My apologies, James—it isn't my fault Professor McGonagall doesn't find watching spider webs fitting enough as a school topic." Sirius paused in his talking and glanced around the room. Already several of the female inhibitors of Gryffindor house were throwing dirty looks in their direction.

"Shall we go somewhere private, there Prongs?"

"How 'bout Hogsmeade?"

"You always were the smart one, James. Next to Remus, of course…and me."

"Then may I suggest that we that we leave soon? I fear we are attracting the wrong kind of attention."

Just as they were about to make their way past the portrait into the corridors, a smooth voice called out to them.

"Potter—wait up a minute!"

( * * * )

It was a bit chilly, but Lily didn't mind. She liked it. The air all around her was crisp with autumn, and a slight cold nipped at the corners of her fingertips. She was out by the lake and, thankfully, the giant squid had—for once—left her alone with her thoughts.

"It's just too noisy in there," she muttered to herself, frowning slightly at the thought of the overly cramped Gryffindor common room. It had been fine in the years before; but she'd been feeling crowded lately…and she just didn't want people asking her if she was all right only because she was quiet. Everyone liked to be quiet every now and then.

She wondered absently if James liked being alone. Lily cocked her head slightly to the side. Sirius was always with some girl or other—flirting or plotting some troublesome scheme—and usually brought James along for the ride…but really—she'd never seen the Gryffindor seeker with anyone. Anyone that was a girl, that is. He would flirt, yes, but it was never that kind of flirting.

And that stare in class that morning….what had that been about? And what in Merlin's beard had possessed her to defend him? Especially when Sirius had thrown her that glare.

Lily rubbed her palms roughly against themselves and blew out a puff of white smoke simultaneously. It was a lot colder than she'd thought it would be. Lily let out a sigh and closed her eyes, willing herself to relax. She'd have to be composed when she returned to the common room. But before that she had to patrol the corridors again. And then Callista had said she'd wanted to talk with her.

Just then, a gust of frigid air ravaged past her, no doubt project of some botched spell nearby. Lily felt a shiver run down her spine and hugged her arms against her body. She had better go inside lest she catch a cold. Then perhaps…

I almost wish I would…

A/N: Hey guys—after a long stretch of time the Marauder's Society is back in action. Sorry it took so long, but we had a hard time getting together again. So, d'ya like? Review Pretty Please!

Midnight Glow and The Weaver Atropos (*ahem* the rest of the society was out of commission).