Fifth Year – Part One
"Oh, Lily, we always knew you'd make it!" shouted Arabella, hugging her friend.
Lily smiled, and fingered the Gryffindor Prefect badge on her chest carefully and proudly. Her three girl friends were gushing at it with awe and respect.
"You will let us get away with stuff, won't you?" asked Jennifer mischievously.
"Of course, Jen." She chuckled. "D'you guys have any idea who the other Prefect is?"
"Remus," replied Jennifer happily. "Isn't that wonderful for him? I think he deserves it, since he's not so much a troublemaker as James or Sirius."
Lily's smile faded slightly. She had been almost positive that the other Gryffindor Prefect would be James. However, she wouldn't mind working with Remus, since he was so much more understanding and less annoying.
Fortunately, none of her friends saw Lily's hesitation, and continued to chat about her duties as a prefect. The compartment slid open, and the Marauders walked in.
"Mind if we sit here, girls?" said Sirius, grinning. "Our ickle Moony is growing up, being a pref—Lily?" He stared at her. "You're a prefect, too? Oh, the shame!"
Lily rolled her eyes. "Oh, please, Sirius. Congratulations, Remus."
Remus smiled. "You too, Lily. I always thought that James would be a prefect, though, since he—"
"Aww…shut up, Moony," said James affectionately. He didn't seem bothered at all that he wasn't a prefect. "And it's Prongs, not James."
"Yeah, yeah."
"It was so obvious that Lily would become a prefect," said Violet with a big grin on her face. "I mean, she was prefect material ever since our first year…"
"Don't make me sick, Vi," said Lily.
Violet smiled. "I'll try, Lils."
"Hey, Flower, shouldn't you be in the prefect compartment with all the other prefects?" asked Sirius innocently.
Lily's eyes widened. "Oh, damn! I forgot!"
"Well, come on then," urged Remus.
The two rushed out of the compartment amid snickers from James and Sirius, and rushed into the prefect compartment. Everyone else was already there, and the Head Boy and Girl were not pleased to see them late.
"Evans, Lupin," acknowledged Kevin Sharp, nodding at them curtly. "I'm glad that you've finally showed up."
Bellatrix Black let out a shrill giggle.
"Black, what do you think you're doing?" snapped the Head Girl, Teresa Chamberlain.
"Nothing, Chamberlain," said Bellatrix sulkily.
"Good. Now, I want you all to carry out your duties as a prefect well this year. You may not deduct points from any Houses, but you may give out punishments when it is completely necessary. Also, you will be escorting and helping many of our younger students at Hogwarts, and you will keep watch when there is danger and be alert at all times. Also, I warn you, do not abuse this position, or you will be handing over your prefect badge to another person who is more worthy of the position. I'm sure that you will all be successful in carrying out this job, as Dumbledore chose you all personally." She gave a tight smile toward the Snape and Bellatrix, the Slytherin Prefects.
"I wonder how long Dumbledore took to choose the Slytherin prefects," muttered Remus under his breath. Lily stifled a laugh.
"Can we go now?" asked a fifth-year Ravenclaw rather loudly.
Several people chortled, and Teresa looked highly affronted.
"Absolutely not, Goldstein! You must patrol the corridors for forty-five minutes to make sure that everything is all right."
"Forty-five minutes?" said Mark Goldstein incredulously. "Is this some kind of joke? No one told me a prefect was this hard!"
Kevin chuckled. "Well, get used to it, mate."
Teresa sniffed. "Well, I don't know why Dumbledore chose you for a prefect, then, if you can't handle the job. I'm sure that there are many other willing Ravenclaw boys in your year who will do the job without complaining."
Mark sighed heavily and rolled his eyes, making a face at Teresa when no one was looking. Lily giggled.
"It looks like we have to be stuck with a Gryffindor Mudblood for forty-five minutes, Severus," said Bellatrix, loud enough for everyone else to hear.
Lily turned red, as all eyes rested on her. "And look, Remus, we have to get stuck with slimy snakes for an hour. But they're useful, really, since they're so cunning and deceitful, so we can get whatever we want if we learn a few tricks from them."
Remus laughed, along with the other House prefects. Even Teresa, a strict seventh-year Ravenclaw, smiled.
"Don't mind Bellatrix, Lily," mumbled Snape under his breath.
Lily stared at him. "What, it's 'Lily', not 'Mudblood' or 'Evans'?"
"Look, I'm sorry if you're mad about those comments, but I have to be like that around my friends…"
"I'm sure," said Lily coldly, and she went off to join Remus.
"What was that about?" he asked, bewildered, as she caught up with him. "Did Snape threaten you?"
"Nah. Stupid git doesn't have the brains or the guts to do that."
They both laughed, and set off patrolling the corridors, and watching out for misbehaving students fighting, using magic, etc. After fifteen minutes of this, however, everyone was tired of walking up and down the corridors, and eventually, one of the Hufflepuff girls fainted.
"At least it was something to talk about," reassured Mark to a frantic Head Girl. "I mean, it's so boring, watching for stupid first years trying to do a bit of magic. At least it was exciting."
Teresa glared at him. "Why are you even a prefect?"
"Why?" Mark looked honestly frank. "Well, I don't know, really, but I found the badge with my usual Hogwarts letter. Mum and Dad were thrilled though and bought me a new broom, I s'pose that was a compensation—"
She gave a frustrated shriek and grabbed Kevin, who was currently chatting, with a lovesick gaze on his face, with the other Ravenclaw prefect.
"Looks like Teresa really has it this year," commented Lily, sniggering. "Poor Goldstein is making her life a living hell, and school hasn't even started yet."
"Don't worry, we'll find them in each other's arms before long," assured Remus, grinning at the thought. "It'll be quite a show, too."
"Hey, Remus!" Mark waved, and came over to them. "How's it been?" Without waiting for an answer, he said, "Oh Merlin, prefect duties are so boring! I can't believe I got stuck with this."
"The companies won't overlook it when you start finding a job," said Lily wisely. "It'll look good, saying that you were a prefect at Hogwarts."
"I s'pose…" He looked at her doubtfully. "But then again, Evans, you've always been prefect material, so you wouldn't know how I feel."
Lily rolled her eyes. "I do think this is boring as well, Goldstein, so don't say another word."
Afraid that he had gotten onto one of Lily's famous redhead tempers, Mark sauntered off with Frieda Lawrence, the other Ravenclaw prefect.
"You just scared him away, Lily," said Remus, pouting.
"Oh, quit that, Remus. C'mon, we have to do our job before Teresa reports us."
After another half an hour of walking tediously, Teresa finally announced that they may go back to their regular schedule, unless if they would like to remain in the prefects' carriage the rest of the trip. All the prefects, relieved that their constant marching was over, grabbed their belongings and nearly trampled each other while trying to get out of the carriage as quickly as possible.
"How was it?" asked Arabella eagerly, as a disgruntled Lily and Remus entered the compartment and collapsed into seats.
"It was hell," groaned Remus, shaking his head.
***
Not only were the prefect duties a "living hell", but the fifth years were to take their first standardized test this year—the dreaded O.W.L.s (Ordinary Wizard Levels). The teachers made sure that they had plenty of homework the first week by giving them essays and readings from the book, and also plenty of review work as well. McGonagall and Hurst took this advantage very pleasantly, so to speak.
"This—is—hell," breathed James, as he dug his fingers painfully into his messy jet-black hair.
"Oh, don't be such a wet blanket, Potter," said Lily cheerfully. "This isn't as bad as I had expected."
"WHAT?" He gave her a hollow stare.
"Yeah, I expected worse," she said, nodding and smiling.
James groaned and let his head fall onto the table with a loud "thump". Everyone in the Gryffindor common room glared at him, especially the fifth and seventh years, who were also struggling with their O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. homework, respectively. He glared right back, and everyone quickly went back to their work again.
"Stupid people," he muttered.
"Oh, don't be so cynical, Potter," continued Lily in the same singsong voice.
"Lily, stop pestering the poor boy so," chided Violet. "He's trying to do his homework. Merlin knows we have so much of it, and we're not all as clever as you."
"Do stop it, Vi. I'm not so clever as you think, and I'm definitely not finished yet. I need some serious tutoring in Transfiguration." She groaned loudly.
"Transfiguration?" repeated James, almost laughing. "I finished that ages ago! And Perfect Prefect Evans hasn't finished it before me?"
"Oh, stuff it, Potter," snapped Lily. "I can do without your taunting, you know. I'm having enough troubles as it is without you challenging my Transfiguration abilities."
"I have high Transfiguration abilities," boasted James. "I can help you if you like, Evans. That is, if you help me with Charms."
Lily thought about it for a moment. She could have James help her in the cursed essay, and be finished with all the homework, and still have it easy with helping James in Charms, as it was her easiest and best subject. But she still had her pride at stake. Having James help her would mean that she was giving into his pleas and woos, and Lily did not want to be subdued of her hatred for him.
"Sorry Potter, no deal," she said simply. "I can handle it myself, thank you very much."
James cursed silently to himself. He knew that she'd say no. He knew that Lily had a lot of pride in herself, and did not want to lose that pride if she agreed to get help. H knew that she was very independent and did not want to depend on others to do the nasty work, in this case, a Transfiguration essay, for her.
"I can help you, Lily," offered Arabella, thinking that her best friend simply refused James' offer because she hated him.
"No, but thank you anyway, Bells."
Arabella was surprised and exchanged bewildered looks with Sirius. She thought that she knew Lily Evans very well, but now there was a new outlook on this.
"Why should Lily refuse my help? I'm not that bad at Transfiguration!" She whispered to Sirius.
"Lily has pride, Bella. She doesn't want to give in that easily…only if it's a desperate situation, then she might as for help."
"What?" Arabella was aghast. "I'm her best friend!"
"Doesn't matter."
"I hate you, Sirius. You are officially the bearer of bad news."
"What did I do?" Sirius was surprised. "Don't peck at me; I was just stating the mere truth."
"The truth is bad, Sirius. You should only state the good truth."
"Well, you did want to know. So I told you."
"You could have told me 'no Bella, but the truth will cause you great distress'."
Sirius let out a yell of frustration, causing the study-absorbed Gryffindors to jump in alarm.
"What's gotten into you, Padfoot?" said James.
"Bella's mocking me," was his brusque reply.
"I am not!" cried Arabella defensively. "I was just telling you what I expect of you, as my boyfriend."
Several people snickered at this comment, but many boys looked suddenly downhearted. Rumors flew since Arabella and Sirius had broken up last year, and they were now upset that their chances with her were very slim, now that they made up again.
"Hey, Arabella!" called out one brave sixth year. "Go out with me. Dump Black and go out with me, and you'll have anything you want."
The Marauders roared with laughter, and the girls giggled at Arabella. Her face flamed red.
"Not a chance, Demise!" she shouted back. "Black's my man and no one's going to replace him."
"Ha! You only want him 'cause he's a pureblood and that his family are all noble, not to mention snobby and are mostly Slytherins."
Sirius glared at him. "Shut it, Juan, before things get bad. Don't you DARE insult my family, you low-life—"
"Yeah, yeah, dirty half-blood," said Juan Demise, rolling his eyes. "I've heard it before, Black, I've heard it before."
"Actually, I was going to say arrogant jerk," replied Sirius calmly. "I really don't care what type of blood someone has, unlike the rest of my family. But I saw you flirting with my cousin Narcissa last week when old Lucius wasn't looking. Shame on you, Denise."
"You flirted with Narcissi?" choked James between coughs. "Oh, Juan, you are a joker, mate."
Juan blushed. "I didn't know who she was!" he cried helplessly. "I thought she was one of those gorgeous girls from Hufflepuff. It never occurred to me that she was a Slytherin, or a Black."
"Or Malfoy's beloved girlfriend," added Sirius.
"All right, I get it, Black! You don't want to dump your girlfriend. I'll ask her best friend then. Hey, Evans, want to go out with me?"
James closed his eyes and sucked in his breath, waiting for the answer. For some strange reason, he didn't want Lily to go out with Juan…but what did it matter to him? She wasn't his girlfriend, so she had the freedom of deciding whatever she wanted.
"Oh, shut up!" screeched Lily, standing up. "I'm trying to do my Transfiguration essay, and I still have a whole roll of parchment to write! And no, Juan, I will not go out with you."
The dark-haired and dark-skinned boy looked rather grim, but didn't mind. After all, it wasn't really Evans he was after; it was her best friend, Arabella Figg. And he'd do anything for Arabella's lips on his own.
James let out the breath that he had realized that he was holding. Thank Merlin Evans didn't say yes to that Denise…wait, why do I even care?
His thoughts were disturbed, however, when Jason Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, had stormed right in front of him.
"Potter! There you are." He looked highly delighted about something.
James and Sirius exchanged nervous looks, waiting for the worst.
"Since this year is my final year at Hogwarts." He paused, as if for special effect, before continuing again. "I want that Quidditch Cup. I know that we've held it for quite some time, but I want the bloody Cup all the same. You got that? Good. I want us to train hard, hear? We lost the stupid Cup to Slytherin last year, much to my grievous disappointment, but we will NOT lose it to those gits this year if I can help it. Now, practice this Friday."
"Wood, we've already had a whole week of practices last week," explained James reasonably.
"Merlin, we have to prepare for our O.W.L.s, too!" exclaimed Sirius, outraged. "I got a 'D' on my Potions essay last week!"
"Well, that's your problem, isn't it, Black?" said Wood coolly. "I got a D as well on one of my Potions essays—and am I complaining? Hell no. We're going to beat Slytherin this year, and we're going to get that cup. Any words you'd like to add, Potter?"
"Huh?" James wasn't listening to the two-way bickering between Wood and Black.
"Potter, McGonagall's promoting you to captain next year, so I hope you can do Gryffindor proud."
"I'm—I'm going to be the captain next year? Bloody hell, are you serious, Jason?"
"No, he's Sirius."
"Oh, come off it, Wood. Seriously."
"Yes. I've spoke with McGonagall, and she thinks you are the best choice. Now, I hope you'll train hard this year, Potter."
"Yes, sir!" James did a mock salute, and Wood was highly pleased as he walked off.
"Going to snog Cassia, Wood?" called Sirius after him.
"Leave the poor guy alone, Padfoot," said James, rolling his eyes. "He deserves to win this year."
Sirius ignored him and looked at Peter. "Hey, Wormtail, get Moony for me."
Peter nudged Remus, who was sitting there next to him, absorbed in his Divination reading.
"Moony?"
"Yes?"
"Padfoot wants you."
Remus looked over at Sirius. "Yes, Padfoot?"
"The full moon's in two weeks."
"Don't think I didn't notice, Padfoot. What's your point?"
"The point is, we get to try it out for the first time! It'll be so cool, you being a you-know-what, and then us being—er—you-know-what, and we can rule the school grounds!"
Remus smiled. "And discover new secret passageways."
"There we go, Moony. I knew you were a prankster at heart!"
"Oh, what are you guys planning now?" said Jennifer, sighing. "Really, if you can just leave Snape alone, he isn't too bad, for a Slytherin at least…"
"Jen," said Sirius sternly, "first of all, we're not plotting against Snape again, as disbelieving as it may sound. Secondly, you are a mad woman, saying that Snape isn't bad for a Slytherin. All Slytherins are bad, if you know what I mean."
"Don't contradict my girl, Padfoot," warned Remus threateningly.
"Whatever, Moony. Anyway—Prongsies? What's wrong? You look—fazed."
James rolled his eyes and sighed. "Seriously, Padfoot, what's with the 'sies' suffixes all the time? And when did you learn such a hard word like 'fazed'?"
"Aww…I know you're just joshing, Prongs. Oh, and I think Prongsies is a cute name, don't you think, stag-boy?"
Remus choked and jabbed Sirius sharply with his arm.
"Ow! What the heck was that for, Remus?"
"Ooh, careful there, Moony, Padfoot's using real names…that means trouble." James smirked.
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind, Prongs, when we're all sent to Azkaban, thanks to the ingenious Mr. Padfoot. Or, at least, you three will be. I'll be visiting often, however. I'll attend Padfoot's funeral as well, and say very nice words about him."
"I'm sure you will, Moony."
"Hey, I'm here, you know!" said Sirius, annoyed.
"Who are you?" asked James innocently.
"Prongs!"
"Prongs? Since when did you know my little nickname? Only my best friends, Remus and Peter, know it. Who are you?"
Sirius sighed in defeat. "All right, I'm sorry I let that stupid 'stag-boy' comment slip. Happy?"
"Very."
"You four do know that you are having the most pathetic conversation, don't you?" asked Lily, bemused.
"What did you hear?" demanded James at once.
"I heard you saying something about a stag-boy," she said, raising her eyebrows at James' alarmed voice.
"And—?" prodded James eagerly.
"And…what? That's all I heard." Lily stared at him strangely. "Are you all right, Potter?"
"Are you sure? Do you know what 'stag-boy' means?"
"Well, you're as proud and arrogant as a stag." She shrugged. "Why? What's it to you? Is this some kind of prank again?"
The four Marauders looked at each other nervously.
"We just came up with nicknames," stammered Remus, chewing his lip.
"Yeah—amusing, aren't they?" James laughed nervously.
"Whatever. Look, I'm going to take a walk to the Astronomy Tower."
"I'm coming with you," said James at once.
"Fine."
Lily and James set off to the Astronomy Tower. After about ten minutes or so, they finally made it to the top and saw the beautiful grounds of Hogwarts from below.
"Well, well, if it isn't Potter and the Mudblood," came a cold, sneering voice.
It was Voldemort, and he looked more sinister and menacing than ever. The two teenagers exchanged glances.
"Why don't you leave us alone, Voldemort?" shouted James.
"Don't make me hunt you down even more, Potter," he spat. "And don't get too cocky now. The Ministry's starting to worry about my fellow Death Eaters and I. They're even starting to fashion a new name for me—You-Know-Who, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and my favorite: The Dark Lord. But of course, that's what my darling Death Eaters use as a code signal." He laughed cruelly.
"We're not cowards!" screamed Lily. "I'll be calling you 'Voldemort' for the rest of your days, though it won't be long before you—"
"Stupefy!" roared Voldemort.
Lily fell to the ground, unconscious.
"LILY!" cried James in alarm. "Lily, wake up…please."
"Tut, tut, really Potter, you're not as strong as people say you are. The Mudblood is Stunned, and there's nothing you can really do about it, is there?"
"Expelliarmus!" said James, his wand pointing straight at Voldemort.
Voldemort's wand came soaring to him, and he caught it along with his own, triumphant.
"Don't get too confident, Potter. I know more about the Dark Arts than any other Dark wizard that's ever walked this world…"
"Unfortunately, Voldemort, I hate the Dark Arts. It's all evil."
"Avada Kedavra!"
James missed the Killing Curse by a few inches. His heart was pounding endlessly, and he could barely catch his breath.
"Enervate," he whispered, pointing his wand at Lily.
Lily stirred feebly and got up to her feet, staring. Then she finally realized where she was and let out a high-pitched wail that sent Voldemort screaming.
"Shut UP, you stupid Mudblood!" he shrieked.
"You won't get James nor I, Voldemort," she said, quite calmly. "No matter how hard you try."
He laughed. "Ah, but the Dark Lord will get you, Evans, no matter how hard it takes. I won't let you or your son stop my reign of terror."
"You—" But before she could finish, he vanished.
"How did he get to Hogwarts?" said James. "I mean, you can't Apparate or Disapparate on school grounds."
"I'm glad you read Hogwarts, A History, Potter," said Lily dryly. "But then again, he is a Dark wizard, and he has his ways."
"Evil git," mumbled James, and they started to head off to Dumbledore's office.
"Er—you do know the password, right, Potter?" asked Lily, as they stepped in front of the stone gargoyle.
"Come off it! You're the genius in this school, I thought you knew!"
"Oh, sod off. Let's see…Peppermint Humbugs."
James gave her a strange look.
"Stop staring, Potter, and help me."
"All right! Er—Pepper Imps?"
The gargoyle came to life and jumped aside. They entered Dumbledore's office and felt the same warm and cozy feeling as they sat down nervously. Dumbledore smiled at them from his large desk.
"Professor, Voldemort attacked us in the Astronomy Tower," said James quickly.
Dumbledore looked grave. "Has he attempted to kill you?"
"Yes, sir, and he almost did. And he Stunned Lily, too."
"I wasn't hurt too badly," said Lily hastily. "I mean, James revived me again…"
No one seemed to notice the pink tinge that appeared on her cheeks when she said this.
"I see. Well, I am very sorry to tell you, Mr. Potter, Ms. Evans, that you shouldn't wander around the school grounds without anyone accompanying you. From now on, if you would like to go somewhere, please bring your friends or a teacher. That is, unless if you can go about being unseen." He seemed to be looking straight at James when he said this.
Lily sniggered and James turned beet red.
"We'll be going now, Professor," said the former, still giggling. James went after her stoically.
"You should have seen your face, Potter!" gasped Lily, still laughing. "I mean, Dumbledore knows you have an Invisibility Cloak!"
"Oh, shut it, Evans," snapped James irritably. "I was just attacked by Lord Voldemort. Really, you can be more thoughtful about my feelings, you know."
"Potter, I was just Stunned by Lord Voldemort."
"Oh yeah. Oops, my bad."
As soon as they reached the Fat Lady's portrait on the seventh floor, Arabella and Sirius came bounding to them and crashed into each other. Lily and James took one look at each other and started to laugh.
"Oh yes, very funny, laugh all you want," said Arabella sarcastically, as both she and Sirius got up and dusted themselves. "Be that way and worry your best friends to death."
"I knew you guys were snogging up there, but Bella insisted that we find you anyway," said Sirius smugly.
"Snogging? Do you really think so, Sirius?" said Lily wryly. "Enemies snog all the time in the Astronomy Tower, oh yes!"
"Really? I knew it!"
"Oh, Sirius, Lily was being sarcastic," sighed Arabella.
"Padfoot, you are pathetic," laughed James.
Sirius had a maniacal glint in his eyes. "Prongs, can I be best man?"
"Huh?" James frowned.
"At the wedding of you and Lily."
"Oh, that." He waved it off casually. "Whatever. You probably are the best man anyway, since you're the godfather of Harry, too."
"What a random topic, Sirius," remarked Lily.
"I had to say something before I die for Bella, like the prophecy says," he said solemnly.
"Who knew you were going to be so heroic later on, Sirius," said Arabella, smiling.
"If only we knew…" whispered Lily.
***
"That was the best experience of my life!" said Sirius, grinning, as they went into the Great Hall tired and yawning.
"Yeah," said Remus, smiling. "Thanks guys. It really made the transformation—er—easier."
"No problem, Moony," said James, looking delighted.
"Now that we found the passageway to Hogsmeade through the one-eyed witch's hump, what are we going to do?" asked Peter.
Everyone looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"Well, this opens a list of possibilities, doesn't it? We can do anything now! We can even go to Hogsmeade during the full moons."
James grinned. "Wormtail, you are a genius. Really. We should create a map that shows every single passageway of Hogwarts, and with everyone's name labeled on it, so we know where all the prefects and teachers are at, so we won't get in trouble. What do you think?"
"Prongs?"
"Yes, Padfoot ol' buddy?"
"The students of Hogwarts have now the opportunity to know the greatest minds and pranksters that this school will ever see."
"I second to that."
"We can have it as a blank parchment, so no one will suspect a thing," said Remus. "We can call it 'The Marauder's Map', and we can have passwords to make it show, or make it blank."
"Moony, you are a wicked, wicked genius," said Sirius complimentarily.
"Thank you, Padfoot."
"But," said James doubtfully, "we do have to do a lot of charms to it…"
"Not to worry, Prongs," assured Remus. "We'll manage it. And if we're stuck on something, I'm sure we can get some help from Lily if we know how to be as vague and unsuspecting as possible."
Sirius dangled his arms around the three other Marauders. "Fellow Marauders, we have just entered a new era of Hogwarts history."
"Why?" came Arabella's amused voice as she grinned at her boyfriend.
"Bellsies! What are you doing here?" Sirius was flustered.
"I'm here for breakfast, you twit," she said jokingly.
"Oh—right."
"Bells, there's no point of trying to reform, Sirius," said Lily, rolling her eyes. "He's totally hopeless."
"Wait a minute, you wanted to reform me?" cried Sirius in alarm. "Why hasn't anyone told me this before?"
The two girls looked at each other and shrugged.
"Now, why should we tell you, Sirius?" said Jennifer, grinning. "After all, you'd object like you're doing right now—"
"All right, I get it! Good Merlin, people these days…"
James gave a loud gasp and covered his hand over his mouth.
"What are you doing, Prongs?"
James shoved the Daily Prophet into the middle of the table so that the girls could read the front page.
The Dark Lord: He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Rises
A new Dark wizard is fashioning his name as Lord Voldemort, writes Danielle Henderson, Special Correspondent.
This wizard is very dangerous, and we must all refer to him as "You-Know-Who" or "He-Who-Must-Be-Named". He has been reported at appearing at the Potters' house this summer, so says Sarah Potter and her husband Daniel Potter, as well as Headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore.
"He threatened to kill my James and his friend," says Mrs. Potter weakly. "I don't know about the rest of you, but he's not as harmless as you think. This Voldemort will destroy many lives, I warn you all."
Unfortunately, Mrs. Potter is quite right. One of You-Know-Who's followers has recently murdered the Prewetts, a very powerful pureblooded family next to the Potters and many others. This young man (so called "Death Eater"), is no older than nineteen, named Antonin Dolohov, and he and his other fellow Death Eaters are planning more deaths ahead, so predicted.
Yet, many of our fellow wizards and witches don't think You-Know-Who at all harmful; in fact, many think that he has the right idea by trying to get rid of Muggle-borns (people of non-magic descent).
"The man is quite right about getting rid of these Mudbloods," says Tricia Black confidently. "Mudbloods are stinking up our world, and if they aren't rid of immediately, then our whole Wizarding community will be going to the dogs soon."
Why is this mad wizard killing off many families?
"Lord Voldemort is quite capable of many deeds, I imagine," says Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "He is killing every wizard and witch whom he believes will thwart or threaten his reign in power."
Minister Bagnold is quite nervous of this Dark reign that Dumbledore mentions, and urges the magical community to remain calm. She thinks that this wizard will be as bad as Grindelwald, if not worse, and suggests constant vigilance.
"He will not take over our world if I can help it," she states flatly.
What will become of us, you ask? Well, we shall see about You-Know-Who and how far he will get before we can start sending out our best Aurors against him.
"Mum and Dad will surely fight him," whispered James worriedly, as they finished reading the article. "They're two of the top Aurors in the Ministry."
Sirius faced his best friend seriously (no pun intended). "Prongs, I'll be by your side through thick and thin. You can count on that. And you know I'd rather die than to give you up."
Despite the situation, James smiled. He knew that he was beyond lucky to have such a best friend like Sirius. Even though most people thought him stupid and only good for his looks, Sirius was much more. He had dignity, honor, and bravery—three qualities that the Blacks were never known for, and only his cousin, Andromeda, had, besides him.
"I know, Padfoot," he replied quietly. "I know."
"I will stand by you at the end as well, Prongs," said Remus. "You guys have done so much for me—I can only do the least by sacrificing myself if needed."
"Me too, Prongs," said Peter, but his voice wavered. He wasn't as brave as his three best friends were. No, he was a coward that didn't belong in Gryffindor. What was the Sorting Hat thinking? It considered putting him in Hufflepuff and then Slytherin, but at the end, it had decided Gryffindor. Who knew—maybe he'd become some sort of hero, sacrificing himself for his friends. The blond boy smiled at the thought.
"We're by your side, too, Potter, even if I don't like you too well," said Lily, grinning, as she shook James' hand.
"Does this mean what I think it means?" said Arabella.
"Nope." Lily withdrew her hand quickly from his grasp.
"We'll be friends through all this, right?" asked Violet hopefully. "Even if not all of us will survive?"
"Definitely," they all chorused together.
-
The Marauders and the girls were currently stuck in the Forbidden Forest. None of them really knew why or how they had gotten there. One moment they were in History of Magic catching up on their sleep, and the next, they suddenly were jerked awake and found themselves under the clutches of livid centaurs. To put it mildly, they were very not pleased.
"I swear this was Voldemort," said James furiously. "That damn git—"
"James!" whispered Peter fearfully. "Don't insult him…what if he hears you?"
"SO LET HIM HEAR ME!" he roared. "HELLO VOLDEMORT! THIS IS YOUR FAVORITE ENEMY SPEAKING, JAMES POTTER! YOU KNOW ME, RIGHT? THE ONE YOU TRIED TO KILL AT THE ASTRONOMY TOWER THE OTHER DAY!"
"Prongs, shut up," said Sirius, rolling his eyes. "You aren't helping the situation."
"Yes, Potter, yelling for Voldemort can only increase our problems," added Lily dryly.
"Look at it this way, James," said Remus quietly. "We are in the Forbidden Forest, which is forbidden to all students, as you can tell by the name. We've just narrowly escaped a pack of mad centaurs that claim we disturbed the planet rotations, and now we have no idea where we are in this forest. Now you're starting to curse at an invisible Voldemort. Maybe you can think of a better solution than that, Prongs."
Some people might have thought Remus said this sarcastically, but they all knew him too long, and knew that he was dead serious.
"You're right, Moony. But what can we do?"
"What about—IT," suggested Sirius.
The girls looked at them with puzzled expressions on their faces.
"Nah, I don't have it," said James, shaking his head. "Besides, the girls are here, we can't risk them knowing…"
"Knowing what?" demanded Jennifer. "Really, we're your friends, we won't tell."
Sirius sighed. "Look, Jen, it doesn't matter—"
"It does if it'll help us out of this stupid mess!" she shot back.
"Well, it won't!"
"Does everyone have their wand with them?" asked Lily tiredly.
There was a chorus of "Yes" among the group.
"Good. We'll light our wands and be on our way. There's no point of arguing. We should just go with the flow and see if we can find our way back to the castle."
"Why didn't we think of that?" muttered Sirius. "Lumos."
The others did the same, and they all looked for the lightest path. When they found it, they started to follow it, hoping that it would lead them back to the castle and to safety. From then, they would go to Dumbledore and tell him what had happened.
"This light isn't working," said James, squinting at the path. "No, wait…blimey! I think I see Hogwarts!"
They all rushed through the path, and sure enough, the castle was in view, with many students looking at them with surprise and interest.
"What were you doing in the forest?" asked Alex Opalisk, a fourth-year Gryffindor. She fluttered her eyelashes at James and Sirius.
"Ditz," muttered Arabella under her breath.
"Er—Hagrid sent us there to do something for him," stammered Remus.
Alex smiled at him seductively. "So—Remus," she said slowly. "The next Hogsmeade trip is on Halloween. Care to go?"
Remus stared at his friends, silently pleading for help.
"He already has a girlfriend," said Lily coolly.
"Who? You?" She sneered.
"No, actually…" Lily looked at Jennifer.
"What about you, Jamie?" she cooed. "You going with someone?"
James gulped. He liked Alex very much, since she was very pretty, but he felt intimidated by her all the time. His hazel eyes locked in with Lily's green ones, they begged her for help.
"James is already going with me," said Lily swiftly.
Everyone stared at her, especially Arabella, who's eyes widened in surprise and delight. Lily shot her friends a look that said, "Yeah, well, this is only one favor for Potter in my lifetime".
"Oh." Alex looked severely disappointed and walked off.
James let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Lily."
"Just don't expect any more favors from me again, Potter," was her brief reply.
"Never again will I have the pleasure," he agreed readily.
They all quickly headed into the castle and to Dumbledore's office. When they told him their story, the professor quickly stood up and sighed, his blue eyes tired and feeble-looking.
"I'm afraid you all—especially you five—are in grave danger, now that Voldemort knows of the prophecy and how Harry James Potter will thwart him in his reign of power." Dumbledore looked at Lily and the Marauders.
"But—Professor—" began Lily, but she could say no more.
"Why did it have to be us?" said James, sighing. "Why us?"
Dumbledore looked at the black-haired boy sympathetically. "It's just fate, Mr. Potter. It's just fate."
When they left his office, James let out a loud groan, causing everyone look his way.
"What's up, Prongs?" asked Sirius.
"It's just—I don't get it," he said quietly. "Why us? Why Lily and I?"
No one had an answer for his questions, and they all slipped into Gryffindor Tower, except for Lily. She lingered, waiting for James.
"It's just fate, Potter," she whispered, smiling slightly. "Fate's bringing us together, and fate's killing us together. But we'll stick by…together."
James grinned at her. "I thought you hated me."
"Oh, I do. In fact, I believe I loathe you very much. But you see, Potter, we still have to work together, no matter how difficult it is for the both of us."
"It won't be difficult for me, Evans. I don't hate you; I just don't like you too well. But I'm sure it'll change by the years. We were meant to be together, unfortunately."
"You know, Potter, you're not half bad sometimes. I mean, you do have your moments, like now. Yet other times, you're completely unbearable. I s'pose, however, that we were made for each other and nothing can change that."
"You're absolutely right, Evans. So—how about that Hogsmeade weekend?"
"In your dreams, Potter."
"Oh, I know something that'll change your mind." James started to tickle her.
Lily shrieked with laughter and chased James around in circles in front of a very disapproving Fat Lady. But the portrait smiled as she saw true love right in front of her eyes. Only the lovers did not see it—but will soon, after all they will go through together.
It was like what Dumbledore had said: it's just fate. Lily and James were two very wonderful and powerful wizards, and they did not deserve to have such a sad and horrifying fate. But that was just it. No one chose who they would marry, or what job they would get. It was all up to fate. Sometimes fate would be very nice and give you a devoted husband and lovable children. But sometimes, like their situation, it wasn't so nice. Lily and James would have a short life together, for less than three years, but it would be one of warmth and tenderness, for both themselves and their future son. And nothing could change that...except for fate. All they could do is wait and let it all happen.
- - - - -
Disclaimer: I own nothing and J.K. Rowling owns everything that you are familiar with.
A/N: I know, I updated a day after the last chapter, and it's still long—eighteen pages! I know you all love me now *waits for hugs* The reason why I updated so soon was because I knew that the last chapter was a big disappointment (there's no need to deny it, I even hate it), and I want you guys to have a good chapter here. All right, I admit this chapter is awful, but hey, it's better than the summer one, right? Now that one was stupid, you have to admit, no matter how nice you want to be. You will find the next chapter in hopefully by this weekend, but I really can't make any promises, because my SAT training sessions start this Saturday with the pre-test, taking a whopping three-and-a-half hours long. I know. Miserable. Let's all cheer when I fail it. Oh well. At least it doesn't count for college…until I take the real thing in sophomore or junior year. Or take my first one next January.
Anyway, back to the stupid story. Oh, yes. I want to know (truthfully) how you guys feel about this story. I am losing a lot of interest, so if it's terrible, then I won't continue it, and put up the epilogue, which is tear-breaking, I must admit. Yes. The only thing I'm looking forward to in this story is writing the epilogue and finishing it, so that I can get on to more exciting things. Like actually reading other fanfictions. So…
I want your opinions please! Good? Bad? Horrendous? C'mon, don't be shy, tell me!